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.
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Early life and business
Cripps was born in Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the son of Joseph Cripps, a cloth manufacturer, and his wife Hester (née Hall). He inherited his father’s manufactory, acquired a second mill, and diversified into brewing and banking. 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. In 1792 he was also appointed commissioner of the Court of Requests for the Seven Hundreds of Cirencester.