Francis Dukinfield Astley
Francis Dukinfield Astley | |
|---|---|
Detail from Richard Woodman's engraving of Francis Dukinfield Astley and his Harriers (1809), originally painted by Benjamin Marshall | |
| Born | 17 July 1781 Dukinfield Lodge, Ashton-under-Lyne, Cheshire |
| Died | 23 July 1825 (aged 44) Horwick House, Buxton, Derbyshire |
Francis Dukinfield Astley (1781–1825) was an English poet, art collector, agriculturalist, industrialist, and High Sheriff of Cheshire. As a patron of the arts he was influential in the development of Manchester's first cultural institutions in the early 19th century.
When he died unexpectedly there were widespread rumours—never proven—that he was poisoned by his brother-in-law, Whig politician Thomas Gisborne.