[3] As the second son, Wright was set to spend life as a banker; however, on the premature death of his elder brother John in Italy in 1828, his father altered his will, making Francis his primary heir.

[4] In 1792, Wright's father and William Jessop joined Benjamin Outram and Francis Beresford in the establishment of what was to become the Butterley Company at Ripley, in Derbyshire.

Until 1851, Wright worked alongside William Jessop (the younger)—son of the original partner of the same name—and then continued to run Butterley until his death in 1873.

One of Butterley's last projects under Wright's leadership was the construction of the iron frame of St Pancras railway station.Wright was well-liked by his workers, however he "commanded respect rather than affection".

[3][6] He was most certainly a man of strong morals, banning Ashbourne's annual Shrovetide football match, and his eldest son's coming of age had solemn moments, the toast being completely devoid of alcohol.

[3][6] On the death of his maternal grandfather, Wright inherited the 3,500-acre (1,400 ha) estate of Osmaston, just south of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, later expanding it to over 5000 acres.

Considered second only to Chatsworth in splendour, the manor was revolutionary for its time, being built with functioning electricity, and an underground railway to transport coal to hydraulic lifts around the house.

[6] After Wright's death, the manor was left to his eldest son, John; however, due to financial difficulties it was sold to Sir Andrew Walker 1st Bt in 1883.