The New International Encyclopædia/Lawrence, Amos

LAWRENCE, Amos (1786-1852). An American merchant and manufacturer, born at Groton, Mass., and educated at the Groton Academy founded there by his father. After working as a clerk for several years, he embarked (1807) in the dry-goods business on his own account in Boston. In 1814 he formed a partnership with his brother, Abbott Lawrence (q.v.), and the firm became the foremost wholesale mercantile establishment in the country. He is best known for his connection with the cotton manufacturing industry in New England, the cities of Lawrence and Lowell owing their preëminence in this branch of industry largely to his efforts. Ill health compelled him to retire from active participation in business in 1831, and the later years of his life were spent largely in furthering various philanthropic enterprises. He contributed largely to the building of the Bunker Hill Monument, and gave large sums to Williams College and to the academy at Groton, which in 1843 was renamed Lawrence Academy in his honor.