George Bruce

George Bruce (July 5, 1781 – July 6, 1866) was an American printer, industrialist and inventor.

Early life Bruce, who was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on July 5, 1781, to John and Janet Gilbertson Bruce. He immigrated to America in 1795 and served his apprenticeship in Philadelphia. His younger brother, John, lost his life in the army in Egypt.

Career After first apprenticing to a bookbinder, his older brother David arranged for him an apprenticeship with Thomas Dobson, printer in Philadelphia. In 1798, the destruction of Dobson's office by fire, and the prevalence of yellow fever, led the brothers to leave the city. George had yellow fever at Amboy, but recovered through his brother's care. The two went to Albany and found employment there, but after a few months returned to New York.

In 1803, young Bruce was foreman and a contributor to the Daily Advertiser, and in November of that year printer and publisher of the paper for the proprietor. In 1806 the two brothers opened a book printing office at the corner of Pearl street and Coffeehouse slip. The same year they brought out an edition of Lavoisier's Chemistry, doing all the work with their own hands. Their industry and personal attention to business soon brought them abundant employment, and in 1809, moving to Sloat lane, near Hanover square, they had nine presses in operation, and published occasionally on their own account.

In 1856, he commissioned architect James Bogardus to build 254 Canal Street, one of the earliest as well as one of the most handsome examples of cast-iron architecture.

Personal life In 1811, he married Catherine Wolfe (1785–1861), the daughter of David Wolfe (1748–1836) of New York City. Together George and Catherine had:

Catherine Wolfe Bruce (1816–1900), a philanthropist who died unmarried. Janet Bruce (1820–1884), who married George Brown. who was married, a fact only discovered by his family and friends after his death in his will. Matilda Wolfe Bruce (1826–1908), who did not marry. George Wolfe Bruce (1828–1887), who graduated from Columbia College and became a merchant.

Descendants Through his daughter Janet, he was a grandfather of George Bruce Brown and a great-grandfather of David Loney Bruce-Brown, the American race-car driver.