[1] Building on the work of James Hargreaves and Richard Arkwright, he invented the spinning mule, a machine that revolutionised the industry worldwide.

The effort absorbed all his spare time and money, including that which he earned by playing the violin at the Bolton theatre.

About 1779, Samuel Crompton succeeded in producing a mule-jenny, a machine which spun yarn suitable for use in the manufacture of muslin.

[12][13] In 1800, a sum of £500 was raised for his benefit by subscription, and when in 1809, Edmund Cartwright, the inventor of the power loom, obtained £10,000 from parliament, Crompton was determined to apply for a grant.

[citation needed] In 1811, he toured the manufacturing districts of Lancashire and Scotland to collect evidence showing how extensively his mule was being used, and in 1812 parliament awarded him £5000.

[5][14] Crompton died at his house in King Street, Bolton on 26 June 1827, and was buried at the parish church of St Peter's.