JOHN

See also:

• JOHN OWENS (1790-1846)

OWENS (1790-1846)  , English merchant, was born at Manchester in 1790, the son of a prosperous merchant . Early in life he became a partner in his father's business and was soon noted for his ability as a cotton buyer . His business prospered, and the firm traded with China, India, South America and the United States, dealing in many other commodities . His large fortune he suggested leaving to his friend and partner George Faulkner (179o–186o), already a rich man . But by the latter's advice he bequeathed it to trustees for the foundation of a college (Owens College, Manchester, opened 185r, now part of Victoria University), based upon his own ideas of education . He died in Manchester on the 29th of July 1846 . His bequests to friends and charities amounted to some £52,000, while for the college he left £96,654 . Among the conditions for its foundation the most important was that which discountenanced any sort of religious test for students or teachers .