The son of John Powell of Castleton; he was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, was a fellow of Balliol, and rector of Duloe in Cornwall from 1819. He was a reclusive scholar who took a particular interest in astronomy.

REFERENCES TO George Powell:

Robert Southey to Nicholas Lightfoot, 13 May 1821 in The Life and Correspondence of Robert Southey (London: 1849-1850)