John Owens

John Owens was an English merchant born into a family of a prosperous trader who came to Manchester from Flintshire, Wales. He was educated at a private school, and at the age of 14 he became an apprentice in his father’s firm, and by 1819 his business partner. Already at that time Owens was known as a skillful cotton buyer.

Under his management, the business affairs flourished and the company had established trade connections with China, India, South America and the United States, dealing besides clothes in many other commodities.

For a while he formed a partnership with Samuel Faulkner, during which he became very close with his son George, although he was known as asocial person that spent evenings among his books.

Since he was unmarried and childless, Owens decided to leave his large fortune to his close friend and business partner, George Faulkner. But, George who was already a rich man suggested him to bequeath his money for the foundation of a college, the Owens College that was opened in 1851 and today is part of the University of Manchester.