Joseph Cripps

Joseph Cripps (10 March 1765 – 8 January 1847) was a prominent English cloth manufacturer, banker, brewer, and long-serving Member of Parliament for Cirencester. Despite his Tory affiliation, he was known for independent-mindedness and support of moderate reform. He also served as governor of the Van Diemen's Land Company and was described at his death as leaving an “enormous” fortune.

Early life and business Cripps was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the son of Joseph Cripps, a cloth manufacturer, and his wife Hester (née Hall). His mills also made use of workhouse labour in the early 19th century.

Civic and colonial roles He was active in local affairs, serving as captain of the Cirencester Volunteers in 1798 and rising to lieutenant colonel commanding the corps by 1803. The schooner Joseph Cripps sailed between Hobart, Launceston, and Port Adelaide in the 1840s.

Parliamentary career Cripps was elected MP for Cirencester in 1806, reflecting demands for a local representative rather than London merchant Robert Preston.