George Burton Hunter (1845–1937) was a British shipbuilder based on Tyneside.
1845 December 19th. Born in Sunderland the third son of Thomas Hunter (1805–1887), shipowner, and Elizabeth, the daughter of William Rowntree, master mariner
1851 Living in Tatham Street, Bishopwearmouth (age 5 born Bishopwearmouth). With mother Elizabeth (age 41 born Sunderland), Master Mariner's wife. Also her other children Mary (age 12), Thomas (age 10), Elizabeth (age 3) and William Gallon (age 5 months). One servant. Note: Presumably Thomas is away at sea at this time [1]
Hunter was a pupil under Thomas Meek before being apprenticed to William Pile, his cousin.
1861 Living at 5 Park Place West, Bishopwearmouth (age 15 born Sunderland), Apprentice Ship Carpenter. With mother Elizabeth (age 51), Master Mariner's wife. Also her children Elizabeth (age 13) and William G. (age 10). Also there is John Hunter (age 83 born Newcastle-upon-Tyne), Shipowner and listed as a lodger. Two servants and a Boarder. [2]
In 1869 he moved to Clydeside where he worked for Robert Napier and Sons
1871 Living at 17 Amberley Street, Bishopwearmouth (age 25 born Sunderland), Manager of Iron Shipbuilding. With parents Thomas (age 65 born Southwick, Durham), Retired Master Mariner and Elizabeth (age 60). Also sister Elizabeth (age 23) and brother William G. (age 20), Apprentice Shipwright. Also niece Eliza Marian Warden (age 11 born Isle of Wight). One servant. [3]
He returned to Wearside and formed a partnership with Samuel Peter Austin, Junior and traded as Austin and Hunter
1879 The Austin and Hunter partnership was dissolved and Burton became Manager of a new firm known as C. S. Swan and Hunter on Tyneside.
1873 April 15th. Hunter married Annie Hudson (d. 1927), the daughter of Charles Hudson of Whitby and niece of the ‘railway king’, George Hudson. They had four daughters and two sons.
By 1893 the firm was the largest shipbuilder on Tyneside.
1895 The business was incorporated with Hunter as Chairman
He became Mayor of Wallsend in 1901 and was knighted in 1918
1915 Member of the Departmental Committee on Bulkheads
1928 George B. Hunter retired from the chairmanship of Swan, Hunter and Wigham Richardson; his son George Ernest Hunter was also a director.
1937 January 21st. Died at his home, The Willows, Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle upon Tyne, aged 91. He was survived by three daughters and two sons.
He was buried on 25 January in St Andrew's cemetery, Newcastle upon Tyne, alongside his wife and a daughter.