George Buxton was born in Sheffield – possibly on 12 August 1809, the son of George (a cutler) and his wife, Ann.  He was listed in 1833 as a table knife manufacturer in Button Lane.  By 1837, his address was Tudor Street, Little Sheffield.  By the end of the 1840s, he was listed as a cutlery manufacturer and merchant at that address.  His residence was Broom Vale, Ecclesall Road, where he lived with his wife and sons (which included George Albert Buxton).  By 1861, he appears to have retired to Sharrow.  He died at his home Sharrow Villa, Psalter Lane, on 2 February 1880, aged 70.  He was buried in Ecclesall churchyard, leaving under £40,000.  He may have been the brother of James Buxton.