Basic Biographical Details | Name: | Speakman & Charlesworth | | Designation: | Architectural practice | | Started: | 1862 | | Ended: | 1871 or 1874(?) | | Bio Notes: | James Speakman was born in 1810. He appears to have had no architectural training whatsoever. At the age of 42, he sold his business and set up in architectural practice with John Charlesworth as his assistant about 1852. Notwithstanding this apparent lack of experience the firm obtained a number of significant commissions in central Manchester over the next two decades. John Charlesworth was born in 1832 and served his apprenticeship under Isaac Holden. He was taken into partnership with Speakman in 1862 as Speakman & Charlesworth. Charlesworth died in 1871 and Speakman formed a new partnership with his son Thomas as Speakman & Son. The older Speakman died in 1872. From 1873 Hickson was taken into the partnership, the title being Speakman Son & Hickson or Speakman & Hickson. | Private and Business Addresses| The following private or business addresses are associated with this architectural practice: | | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 61, Cross Street, Manchester, England | Business | 1858 | 1862 | | | 3, Princess Street, Manchester, England | Business | 1863 * | 1871 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils| The following individuals were employed or trained by this architectural practice (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Walter Wood Robertson | 1869 | 1871 | Assistant | |
Buildings and Designs| This architectural practice was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1866 | Manchester Town Hall | | | Manchester | England | Competition design - shortlisted in first stage, placed second in second stage | | 1870 | Chepstow House | | | Manchester | England | Completed by Speakman Son & Hickson which was the successor to the firm Speakman & Charlesworth. |
ReferencesBibliographic References| The following books contain references to this architectural practice: | | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory | 1868 | Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory | | London, Wyman | | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | |
Archive References| The following archives hold material relating to this architectural practice: | | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Courtesy of Neil Darlington | Information sent via DSA website | | Sent October 2009 |
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