George Courtauld
George Courtauld (1761–1823) was the founder of Courtaulds which was to become one the United Kingdom's largest textile businesses.
Career
Apprenticed to a Spitalfields silk weaver in 1775, George Courtauld first worked on his own as silk throwster.[1] Between 1785 and 1794 he made a number of visits to America.[1] In 1794 he established his own textile business at Pebmarsh under the name George Courtald & Co.[1] However by 1816 the business was in financial difficulty: that year George's son Samuel took over the business and built it into one of the largest textile businesses in the United Kingdom.[1]
George was an ardent Unitarian.
He retired to America where he died in 1823.[1]
Family
George was born on 19 September 1761 to Samuel Courtauld and Louise Perine Ogier. He was christened on 8 October 1761 in the French Huguenot Church, Threadneedle Street, London.
George Courtauld married Ruth Minton[2] on 10 July 1789. Their children were:
- Samuel Courtauld (1793-1881)
- Catherine Courtauld (1795-)
- George Courtauld (1802-1861)
He died on 13 August 1823 in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania.