William Dixon

William Dixon (1753–1824) was a British miner and industrialist from Northumberland who became the owner of number of coal fields in Govan, Faskine, Palacecraig and Wilsontown along with the Calder Iron Works and Wilsontown Ironworks in the North Lanarkshire area of Scotland.

Life William Dixon was born in Northumberland. When he was 17, around 1770 or 1771, he left the county with some friends to move to Glasgow. He found work as miner in Govan and through ambition and hard work had became the lessee of the Govan coalfield by 1770-1771.

In 1775, Dixon married Janet née Smith and together had 7 children. His sons William Dixon (1788-1859) and John Dixon became businessmen and continued their fathers interests.

Career At some point in 1770's, Dixon had become the manager of the Govan colliery. and James Creelman, a Glasgow pottery and tile manufacturer, established the Calder Iron Works near Airdrie in North Lanarkshire that was plentiful, along with coal within the Old Monkland's area.

In 1813, when the Govan collieries was put up for sale, Dixon managed to gain a 44% stake in the company at a cost of £30,000.