Samuel Lysons (priest)


Samuel Lysons FSA was an antiquarian and early proponent of British Israelism.

Early life

Samuel Lysons was born on 17 March 1806, the eldest surviving son of Daniel Lysons. His uncle was the English engraver Samuel Lysons.
The Lyson's family was prominent and well known within Gloucestershire from the 17th century onwards, having connections with the parishes of Rodmarton and Cherington.

Career

Samuel Lysons became rector of Rodmarton of which he was patron, in 1833. In 1841 he arranged the construction of Church of St Luke in the expanding area of Gloucester known as High Orchard. He resigned in 1866. From November 1865 he was rural dean of Gloucester and two years later he was appointed as an honorary canon of Gloucester Cathedral.
He was also a successful author; his Our British Ancestors received good reviews and was considered an early text on British Israelism. He was a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of London, and a member of the Archaeological Institute and the Cotteswold Naturalists' Society.

Personal life

He married three times and had six children, all by his first wife, Eliza Sophia Moore. He died on 27 March 1877 and was buried at Rodmarton.

Selected publications