George Bowes

George Bowes was one of the largest coal owners in eighteenth century Durham.

Following the premature deaths of his elder brothers, George inherited the family estates at the age of 21 and for the next four decades played a major part in the Newcastle coal trade. With two other powerful coal mining families George formed a cartel the “Grand Alliance” through which they dominated the coal trade in North England. He was also involved in various other activities such wee lead-mining and smelting, salt-panning, forestry and farming.

As a prominent member of community, George served as mayor of Durham (1739) and MP for the county (1727-1760). At the time of his death his fortune was estimated at £600,000 or £4.6bn in today’s terms and inherited by his only child, Mary Eleanor.