Samuel Vaughan Merrick (1801–1870) was a 19th-century American manufacturer, and the first president of the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Born near Hallowell, Massachusetts (it became part of Maine in 1820) on May 4, 1801,[1] Merrick left school in 1816 and moved to Philadelphia, where he worked for his merchant uncle John Vaughan.

[1] He subsequently studied engineering, and in 1824 founded, with scientist William Keating, The Franklin Institute of the State of Pennsylvania for the Promotion of the Mechanic Arts, of which he was President from 1832 until 1854.

[3] In 1836, Merrick established the Southwark Iron Foundry,[1] which became one of the most advanced manufacturing plants of its kind in this country.

[2] Merrick took a deep interest in public affairs and was instrumental to the introduction of illuminating gas into Philadelphia, being the chairman of a Committee of the Common Council that reported on the benefits of gaslighting.