Thomas North (coal owner)
Thomas North | |
|---|---|
Thomas North's obelisk in Old Cemetery, Church Street, Old Basford | |
| Born | 1810/1811 Nottingham |
| Died | February 28, 1868 (aged 57) Basford (or London) |
| Burial place | Old Basford Cemetery 52° 58′ 46.08″ N 1° 10′ 48.21″ W |
| Monuments | Thomas North's obelisk Marble plaque in Christ Church |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Colliery owner, local politician |
| Years active | 1832-1868 |
| Known for | First large-scale coal mine in Nottinghamshire's concealed coalfield, 18 mi (29 km) of private tramways and railways, Christ Church, Cinderhill, "finding employment for a large number of people" |
| Notable work | Trackbed of NET branch-line between Babbington Junction and Phoenix Park, especially the cutting between two original bridges |
| Political party | Liberal |
| Spouse(s) | Hannah Laycock (1811/12–1865), Catherine Sarah Stanley (1836/1837-27 August 1920) |
| Children | Thomas North III |
| Father | Thomas North Sr. |
Thomas North was a colliery entrepreneur and local councillor, becoming mayor of Nottingham in 1844 and an alderman in 1859.
North looked after his workforce's interests, building a number of miners' cottages, so he was held in high regard by both workers and the business community. In June 1856, the Nottinghamshire Guardian reported,
"The miners should go down on their bended knee and thank Mr Thomas North for providing them with such palaces to live in."