Samuel Hope

Samuel Hope (1781-1837) was a prominent banker in Liverpool, active philanthropist, and a member of the Baptist  congregation at Byrom Street. The Samuel Hope of Liverpool who was the correspondent of William Carey is most likely this Samuel Hope. He founded the first Baptist Sunday school in Liverpool and the Liverpool Sunday School Union in 1815. His father, William Hope, was a prominent Liverpool businessman who built a large home in what is now Hope Street in Liverpool. Samuel and his brother, William (see entry below), were strong supporters of the BMS. Samuel subscribed £5.5 to the support of the Society in 1804-1805. He also served for a time as the treasurer in England of the Serampore Mission. John Dyer described him as the “great stay of the Serampore Mission.” See BMS Periodical Accounts, 3:145; J. Hughes, Liverpool Banks and Bankers 1760-1837 (London:  H. Young & Sons, 1906), 212; N. P. Hancock, “Healing the Breach: Benjamin Godwin and the Serampore ‘Schism,’” Baptist Quarterly 35 (1993-1994), 127; E. A. Payne, “The Necrologies of John Dyer,” Baptist Quarterly 13 (1949-1950), 309.