Samuel Lyons (c. 1791 – 3 August 1851) was a pardoned convict from London who rose to prominence in the Australian colony of New South Wales as a landowner and businessman.
[1] Over the years, he was an industrious trader and auctioneer, eventually acquiring large tracts of land in the colony, and had many other business interests.
He joined them in petitions for trial by jury and taxation by representation, for the rejection of payment for public services not performed in the colony, for the wiser use of revenue from sales of waste land, and for the local government of Sydney.
His conservative views and great wealth aroused antagonism, and in 1843 he was accused of undue political influence in the election of Wentworth and Bland to the New South Wales Legislative Council.
George became a barrister in England, while Samuel took over his father's enterprises, and in 1853 married Charlotte Margaret Futter at St James' Church, Sydney.
Samuel was twice elected to the New South Wales Legislative Assembly: in Canterbury (1859–60) and Central Cumberland (1868–69), and was associated with Henry Parkes, the "father of federation".