Bridgewater, Duke of (1736-1803), Francis Egerton, was a pioneer of canal navigation in Britain (now the United Kingdom). In 1759, he employed the English engineer and canal builder James Brindley to build a canal linking his coal mines at Worsley with Manchester. This canal was the first in Britain to be independent of a natural waterway. Bridgewater devoted his life to developing his canals and coal mines.
Francis Egerton was born on May 21, 1736, in Worsley, Lancashire, England. In addition to being the third Duke of Bridgewater, he was also Earl of Bridgewater, Marquess of Brackley, Viscount Brackley, and Baron of Ellesmere. Egerton died in March 1803.
