George Head Head facts for kids

Quick facts for kids George Head Head
Head in 1840.
Born	c.1795
Died	12 December 1876 (aged 81)
Nationality	British
Occupation	Banker

George Head Head (born around 1795 – died 12 December 1876) was an important person from Carlisle, England. He was a mayor, a magistrate (a type of judge), a banker, and a mine owner. He took over his family's bank and made it even better. George Head Head was also known for his strong support of the anti-slavery movement. He even attended a major meeting about it in London in 1840.

Life of George Head Head

Early Life and Family Bank

George Head Head was born into a family of bankers. His father, J. M. Head, started a private bank called J.M.Head and Co. It began in his father's grocery shop in Carlisle. George took over the bank and kept it at its first location on Botchergate. Later, George built the very first building in Carlisle specifically designed to be a bank. This showed how much the bank had grown.

Mining Business

From 1835 until he died in 1876, George Head Head was the main owner of the Greenside Mine. This was a very successful lead mine. It was located near Glenridding in an area called Westmorland.

Fighting Against Slavery

In 1840, George Head Head traveled to London for a very important event. It was called the World's Anti-Slavery Convention. This meeting took place on June 12, 1840. People from many countries attended, including America, France, Haiti, and Australia. The picture in the infobox shows him in a painting made to remember this big event. It highlights his involvement in the fight to end slavery.

Public Service and Roles

George Head Head held several important public roles. In 1851, he was the High Sheriff of Cumberland. This was a high-ranking official role in the county. The next year, in 1852, he became a Deputy Lieutenant. This role meant he helped the Lord-Lieutenant, who represented the King or Queen in the county.

Later Life and Legacy

George Head Head's first wife, Maria Woodrouffe Head, passed away in 1854. He later married Sarah Gurney on May 1, 1858. Sarah's father was Samuel Gurney, a very famous banker known as "The Bankers' Banker."

His bank was eventually closed down in 1865. It joined with another bank called the Cumberland Union Bank.

George Head Head owned a large estate called Rickerby Hall. Today, this area is a public park called Rickerby Park. He is especially remembered for building a unique, eight-sided tower there. This tower, often called a "folly," is a well-known local landmark.

George Head Head enjoyed collecting books. He also continued to support the anti-slavery movement throughout his life. He passed away in 1876. His adopted heir was Miles MacInnes. Miles MacInnes was a justice of the peace. He inherited a large amount of land, about 940 acres (3.8 square kilometers), at Rickerby. He also received a large sum of money.

George Head Head's monument is in Carlisle St Michael's church. There are also plaques there for his two wives. These structures are considered important historical buildings.

Images for kids

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  The Octagonal Folly that was built by George Head Head near Rickerby