William Drury-Lowe

William Drury-Lowe (1753–1827) was a British merchant who inherited Locko Park, and helped create the Derby Canal. He was a High Sheriff of Derbyshire and a Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire.

Biography He was born to William Drury of Oakham and his wife Mary Hunt (died 1791), daughter of Thomas Hunt, a mercer in Nottingham. He was a merchant of Bread Street, London.

Drury's fortune was made some years after the death of his cousin Robert Lowe in 1785. His cousin had died leaving the valuable estate of Locko Park to his youngest daughter Anne. Anne refused the inheritance as the conditions were that she marry someone from a shortlist of eligible bachelors chosen by her father. After taking legal advice it was decided that as Drury had a Lowe ancestor (a great-grandfather), he should inherit the lands and estate on the condition that he adopted the Lowe surname and paid Anne £50,000.

Drury-Lowe became the High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1795 as well as serving as captain of a troop of Derbyshire Volunteer Cavalry for nine years. Drury-Lowe was also made the Deputy Lieutenant of Derbyshire in 1797.

Family Drury-Lowe married Anne Steer of Burton Latimer, and had no male heir.