Crompton

Samuel, an English inventor; born near Bolton in 1753. He early displayed a turn for me. chanics, and when only 21 years of age invented his machine for spinning cotton, which was called a mule. The mule shared in the odium excited among the Lancashire hand-weavers against machines, and for a_ time Crompton was obliged to conceal his invention. He afterwards brought it again into work; but was unable to prevent others from profiting by it at his expense. Various improvements were introduced from time to time. The sum of $25,000 voted to him by | Parliament in 1812, was almost al the remuneration which he received. He died in 1827.