Originated on the farm of a Mr. Lawson, Ulster County, New York, about 1800. Added to the APS catalog list in 1899. Fruit medium in size, and varying in form from obovate-obtuse-pyriform to ovate-obtuse-pyriform. Skin fairly smooth, pale yellow in color, heavily blushed with dull red, fairly attractive. flesh firm, not very juicy. Lacking in desirable flavor and texture characteristics. Very early in season. Tree moderate grower, upright in habit, reasonably productive. Moderately susceptible to blight. -- H. Hartman, 1957.Of all early pears, the fruits of Lawson best satisfy the eye for bright colors. They are as brightly colored as the brilliant Vermont Beauty or as Mount Vernon. Another outstanding character is the small core, which, though the pears ripen early and quickly, seldom soften unduly. The pears are often nearly or quite seedless. Unfortunately, the fruits are often irregular in shape, and in quality are mediocre. The tree is fairly healthy, vigorous, hardy, and free from blight, and is characterized by its tall, upright growth. Although grown for more than a hundred years in the East, the variety has never made headway here, but seems to be attracting much attention on the Pacific slope.