Career
Born New Haven, Vermont, to American Revolutionary Soldier, William Lampson (1761–1827) and Rachel Powell (1766–1813), he started work as a clerk before moving to New York and then, in 1830, to London as John Jacob Astor"s agent. He established the business of Certificated Master Lampson & Company and became a naturalised British citizen on 14 May 1849. He was elected to the board of directors of the Atlantic Telegraph Company on its formation in 1856 and served it over the next decade.
His endeavours, along with those of the other principals, were recognised on 16 November 1866 when Lampson was created a baronet.
He is said to have been the first former United States citizen to have been so honoured. His other appointments included as deputy governor of the Hudson"s Bay Company and as one of the trustees of the Peabody Donation Fund.
Lampson died at his country seat, Rowfant, in West Sussex and was buried at Worth Church near Crawley. Their children included the British Conservative MPs, Godfrey Locker-Lampson and Oliver Locker-Lampson.
Wherever he went people would regard him with attention and admiration, for he was tall and broad-shouldered, with a distinguished carriage and handsome head
