Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Lomax-Simpson
Designation:  
Born: 1882
Died: 16 June 1977
Bio Notes: James Lomax-Simpson was born in 1882, the only son of Jonathan Simpson, architect of Bolton, his godfather being William Hesketh Lever, later Lord Leverhulme. Educated at Uppingham. Trained at Liverpool University and under Grayson & Ould, he also assisted in his father's practice. In 1905, after refusing the offer of a junior partnership with Grayson and Ould, he set up his own office in Liverpool, (though maintaining a close business relationship with his father) with B. T. Austin, 1873 - 1955, from Greyson and Ould’s office as chief assistant. Work at this stage included model workers' housing at Ellesmere Port for Edward Peter Jones of the Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Company who, like Lever, had relocated his factory to the Mersey. Other commissions included a bandstand and cottages at Port Sunlight and St George's church at Thomton Hough, Cheshire.

In 1910 he was appointed to take charge of the Architectural Department of Lever Brothers and was made a director in 1917. As Company Architect he undertook work in over twenty-five different countries and was responsible for most of the development of Port Sunlight from 1910 onwards. He also carried out much work for Lever himself, including alterations and additions to Thomton Manor, The Hill at Hampstead and Lewis Castle, Stornoway.

Possibly his most important work was Unilever House, London, 1930, with executive architects, Bumet, Tait and Partners. It was opened by the Lord Mayor of London in July 1932 and 'The Morning Post' wrote "Unilever House will delight the eyes and minds of all who appreciate beauty in Architecture".

James Lomax-Simpson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in June 1943. He was made a Trustee of the Leverhulme Trust and served as a Trustee of the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. He was also on the Board of the Royal Free Hospital.

Throughout his life James Lomax-Simpson took an interest in the deprived or under-privileged. In 1936 he established a Trust Fund to award the 'Christopher Barr Character Prize' annually to a member of one of the Dr Barnardo's Homes in Australia and through his generosity the Messenger House Trust was also formed.

His wife, Isabel Mary Messenger or "Molly", who he married in 1924, was born in Orange, New South Wales, Australia, and came to England as a young woman. She died 1967. He died at his home on 16 June 1977 leaving estate valued at £173,305 net. He was survived by two daughters.

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 51919Goathill CottagesStornowayLewisRoss & CromartyScotland 
Item 2 of 5c. 1919Lews Castle, hotel in groundsStornowayLewisRoss & CromartyScotlandDesigns drawn - with Lutyens
Item 3 of 51920Stornoway Town Improvement SchemeStornowayLewisRoss and CromartyScotland 
Item 4 of 5c. 1920Housing for Lord Leverhulme's managersStornowayLewisRoss & CromartyScotlandAttribution by Mary Miers
Item 5 of 5c. 1929Unilever House  LondonEnglandOriginal design

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1The Times22 June 1977  p19 Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1 Bolton Local Studies(ZHCA)Jonathan Simpson, James Lomax Simpson and Richard Herman Crook, architects, Bolton: drawings incl papers rel to commissions of William Hesketh Lever, Viscount Leverhulme, at Rivington, Warrington and Port Sunlight 1875-1956