Bolton

Bolton is a town and metropolitan borough located in Greater Manchester, England. Historically part of Lancashire, it lies northwest of the Manchester metropolitan area, with its northern reaches extending into the Pennine foothills.1

Initially known for woolen textiles in the 16th century, Bolton transitioned to cotton production by the 18th century. The invention of the spinning mule by Samuel Crompton, a Bolton native, in 1779, significantly boosted the cotton industry. By the mid-19th century, Bolton was a major center for textiles, coal mining, papermaking, engineering, and other industries. While the cotton industry declined in the 20th century, the borough's industrial base diversified, with engineering becoming a primary employer. Notable figures born in Bolton include Samuel Crompton and William Hesketh Lever, co-founder of Unilever. The population of the metropolitan borough was 276,786 in 2011.1