Robert Colling and Charles Colling
Quick Facts
Robert Colling
- Born: 1749, Ketton, Durham, England
- Died: March 7, 1820, Barmpton, Durham
Charles Colling
- Born: 1751, Ketton, Durham, England
- Died: January 16, 1836
Robert Colling and Charles Colling were stock raisers, the first scientific breeders of Shorthorn, or Durham, beef cattle.
After visiting Robert Bakewell, the outstanding livestock breeder, at Dishley, Leicestershire, Charles began in 1782 a program of improving the quality of cattle in the Tees River valley. His brother, who occupied another farm in the district, later turned to cattle breeding. Charles’s wife, the former Mary Colpitts (1763–1850), also is credited with valuable work in cattle breeding.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
Robert Colling and Charles Colling
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
12 June 2026
Access Date:
November 14, 2026