His nephew George William Saul Howson (1860–1919) was a reforming headmaster of Gresham's School, Holt, Norfolk, between 1900 and his death.

[1] In 1845 Howson, having taken orders, accepted the post of senior classical master at the Liverpool College under his friend W. J. Conybeare, whom he succeeded as principal in 1849.

This post he held until 1865,[1] and it was largely due to his influence that a similar college for girls was established at Liverpool.

[2] In 1866 he left Liverpool to become vicar of the Parish Church of St Peter and St Paul, Wisbech, and in 1867 he was appointed dean of Chester Cathedral, where he gave himself vigorously to the work of restoring the crumbling fabric, collecting nearly £100,000 in five years for this purpose[3] His restoration created a great debate and led in part to formation of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

His grandson George Howson was the founder and chairman of the Royal British Legion Poppy Factory.