George Dawson | |
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Born | Skelton-on-Ure, North Riding of Yorkshire, England | 12 June 1821
Died | 22 February 1889 Harrogate, England | (aged 67)
Burial place | Grove Road Cemetery, Harrogate |
Monuments | Large gravestone sculpture by Thomas Potts |
Occupations | |
Years active | 1855–1888 |
Known for | Property development in Harrogate |
Notable work |
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George Dawson (12 June 1821 – 22 February 1889) was an English builder, property developer and alderman. The son of a village labourer, he was a self-made man who started as a cooper, became a rich entrepreneur and built himself a mansion.
However, Dawson achieved his success by hard work, and the mansion only appeared towards the end of his life. Between the coopering and the mansion-building, and in a working partnership with architect John Henry Hirst of Bristol, he built or expanded many large buildings in Harrogate. This included Prospect Crescent, Cambridge Crescent, the wings of the Crown hotel, and many blocks and large villas in the town. Alongside fellow developer Richard Ellis, he helped to develop Harrogate into a town with impressive buildings.
Dawson married twice and had eight children. After he died his second wife erected over his grave a large sculpture by Thomas Potts of Harrogate.