Samuel Lister, 1st Baron Masham

The business eventually made Lister one of Bradford's most famous fathers, a multi-millionaire and the provider of thousands of jobs in the city.

The task occupied his time for many years and brought him to the verge of bankruptcy, but at last he succeeded in perfecting silk-combing appliances which enabled him to make good quality yarn at a low cost.

Another important invention in connection with silk manufacture was a velvet loom patent that he bought in 1867 to the Catalan inventor Jacint Barrau.

[3] However, the business was seriously affected by the prohibitory duties imposed by the United States, making him an early critic of the British policy of free trade.

[5] He died at Swinton Park on 2 February 1906,[4] and was succeeded by his son, Samuel Cunliffe Lister, 2nd Baron Masham.