His father was also a chemical industrialist who had established factories in Liverpool, St Helens and Newton-le-Willows.
Richard was sent by his father to study chemistry under Justus von Liebig at the University of Giessen in Hesse-Darmstadt, Germany.
Muspratt took an interest in local politics, was a J.P. and in 1857 was elected mayor of Flint.
[3] In all he was mayor 9 times and in 1877 his wife presented a chain of office to the town.
Richard is buried at Northop Road Cemetery, Flint, North Wales.