George Furness ( 1820 – 1900)

George Furness was a prominent figure and celebrated resident of Willesden. He was a construction engineer, a public figure in local government, local hospitals, church affairs and a philanthropist.

Furness worked on the construction of London’s first sewage system along a major section of the Thames Embankment, as well as railways and other major infrastructure and construction projects in Britain and around the world in Russia, Brazil, Italy and France.

Although he was born in Derbyshire, George Furness spent much of his life in Willesden, working in the area and living at Roundwood House until his death in 1900. He is buried in St Mary Church graveyard in Willesden.

He owned and developed large plots of land in Willesden and ran the Willesden Brick and Tile Company, situated on Chambers Lane. Bricks from his factories were used to construct St Andrews Church, as well as many properties in the area.

In 1856, Furness bought Roundwood House and settled in Willesden, eventually selling a large plot of his land to the Willesden Local Board, which was turned into Roundwood Park. Furness Road was named after him, to mark his contribution to the local community.