William Bucknell

William Robert Bucknell (April 1, 1811 – March 5, 1890), was an American real estate investor, businessman, philanthropist, and benefactor to Bucknell University. Early life Bucknell was born in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania to English immigrants. His father was a Lincolnshire farmer, carpenter, and early settler of Delaware County, Pennsylvania. He had intermittent schooling and was trained as a wood carver. Career Bucknell began his career as a wood carver, acquired some savings from that trade and set himself up in business. After his first marriage, Bucknell began conducting real estate transactions with the purchase of suburban lands and the erection of buildings. Bucknell invested in laying gas lines in the city of Chester, Pennsylvania. He founded the Chester Gas Company in 1856. Bucknell became a director in the United Gas Improvement Company of Philadelphia. Bucknell was also a director in the Buffalo Gas Light Company.