About John Thomas Bell
Lived 1878 – 1965 (aged 86–87). John Thomas Bell was a British businessperson.
John Thomas Bell (1878–1965) was, together with his two sons, the founder of Bellway, one of the United Kingdom's largest housebuilding businesses.
Career The son of William Bell and Mary Jane Craig, "J.T" was brought up in North Seaton, Northumberland. He worked in the stone quarry by day and built his first houses by night. He formed his own building business (probably after the First War) and in the 1920s built 400 to 500 houses in the Newbiggin area. His business failed in the 1930s slump and he returned to being a manager for another builder. In 1946 his two sons, John and Russell, joined him and re-launched the business. John Bell died in 1965.
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Important facts
People in John Thomas Bell's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped John Thomas Bell's
Frequently asked questions
Who was John Thomas Bell?
British businessman
When was John Thomas Bell born?
John Thomas Bell was born in 1878.
When did John Thomas Bell die?
John Thomas Bell died in 1965.
What was John Thomas Bell's occupation?
John Thomas Bell was a businessperson.
What nationality was John Thomas Bell?
John Thomas Bell was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Thomas Bell. https://biography.guide/john-thomas-bell/
MLA: "John Thomas Bell." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-thomas-bell/.
Chicago: "John Thomas Bell." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-thomas-bell/.
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