Crompton, Samuel. Inventor of the spinning-mule. Born near Bolton, England, 1753. For five years he worked at his project, and after he got it into shape, was tormented by people prying about him, and trying to find out his secret. At last a sum was raised by subscription to buy it, and he got some £60 for it, by which others became wealthy, while he had to spend and end his days in comparative poverty; all he had to subsist on was a life annuity of £63, which some friends bought him. Died 1827.

---