author

Gilbert J. (Gilbert James) French

1804–1866

A textile manufacturer with a deep love of history and books, he wrote widely on archaeology, church art, and the life of spinning pioneer Samuel Crompton. His work blends practical knowledge of industry with the curiosity of a dedicated antiquarian.

1 Audiobook

An Attempt to Explain the Origin and Meaning of the Early Interlaced Ornamentation Found on the Sculptured Stones of Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man

An Attempt to Explain the Origin and Meaning of the Early Interlaced Ornamentation Found on the Sculptured Stones of Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man

by Gilbert J. (Gilbert James) French

About the author

Born in Edinburgh on April 18, 1804, he was educated there and apprenticed to a draper before moving first to Sheffield and then to Bolton. In Bolton he built a successful trade in textile fabrics, especially materials used by clergy and in church services, while also developing a strong interest in archaeology, ecclesiology, and bibliography.

He is best remembered as the biographer of Samuel Crompton, inventor of the spinning mule. His 1859 book on Crompton grew out of lectures he gave through the Bolton Mechanics' Institute, where he served as president in 1857–1858. He also helped support Crompton's surviving son and raised funds for a monument over Crompton's grave, showing that his historical interests were closely tied to local civic life.

Alongside his industrial and historical work, he wrote on subjects ranging from church libraries and decorative art to the Bayeux Tapestry and the authorship of some of the Waverley novels. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London and a corresponding member of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland. He died in Bolton on May 4, 1866.