George Dawson (builder)

George Dawson
Born(1821-06-12)12 June 1821
Skelton-on-Ure, North Riding of Yorkshire, England
Died22 February 1889(1889-02-22) (aged 67)
Harrogate, England
Burial placeGrove Road Cemetery, Harrogate
MonumentsLarge gravestone sculpture by Thomas Potts
Occupations
Years active1855–1888
Known forProperty development in Harrogate
Notable work
  • Prospect Crescent
  • Cambridge Crescent
  • Vanderbilt Court
  • development of the Montpellier Quarter

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.