Basic Biographical Details Name: | Leonard Cecil Howitt | Designation: | | Born: | 1896 | Died: | 20 May 1964 | Bio Notes: | Leonard Cecil Howitt was born in Islington in 1896, the only child of William Howitt, type founder, and his wife Ada.and was baptised at Holy Trinity, Islington on 27 December 1896. William seemingly died about 1910, Ada and Leonard returning to Manchester to live with her mother and step-father in Old Trafford.
Leonard Howitt began his career in Manchester City Architect’s office shortly before the First World War and after war service he entered Liverpool University School of Architecture, where he obtained his degree in 1925. Following graduation he joined Herbert J Rowse, in Liverpool, rising to managing assistant and was a member of the team responsible for the design of the Mersey Tunnel. He remained with Rowse until 1934 when he took the appointment of chief architectural assistant to Lancelot H Keay, Liverpool Director of Housing. In 1937 he returned to Manchester as deputy city architect under G Noel Hill, but his career was again disrupted by service in the Army during the Second World War, where he rose to the rank of major. He returned to Manchester in 1945 as acting city architect. In June 1946 he was appointed City Architect and remained in this post until his retirement in 1961.
Among his best known designs in the city are the reconstruction of the Free Trade Hall after bomb damage, the new Courts of Justice (1957-1962), the Terminal Buildings at Manchester Airport and Hollings College (1957-1960). He was also responsible for the design of many schools, colleges and other corporation buildings.
Leonard C Howitt became a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in March 1942. He was its vice-president from 1956-1958 and served on its council for twelve years; he was president of the Manchester Society of Architects, 1955-1957; president of the City and Borough Architects’ Society, 1948-1956; a member of the Architects’ Registration Council,1950-1952; and a member of the Building Research Board, 1951-1955. He also served on a number of other professional committees dealing with architects’ salaries and status and was Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Clerks of Works of Great Britain.. In recognition of his services to Manchester the Regional College of Art awarded him an honorary DA (Manc) in 1959. On his retirement from the corporation in 1961 he entered private practice in Manchester in partnership with Leonard J Tucker.
Leonard C Howitt died on at his home in Mowbray Avenue Brooklands Sale on 20 May 1964 aged 67. He was survived by his wife Patricia two daughters and a son. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Town Hall, Albert Square, Manchester | Business | 1937 | 1961 | Manchester City Architects Department | | “Scoveston”, Mowbray Avenue, Brooklands, Sale, Cheshire | Private | 1938 | 1964 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | G Noel Hill | 1937 | 1945 | Deputy Architect | Excluding war service |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Leslie Roland Penman | | 1947 | Chief Assistant | City Architect, Manchester |
RIBARIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | Richard Rennie Alexander | 6 December 1955 | For Fellowship |
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Architectural Review | January 1956 | | | pp 73-4 | | Manchester Guardian | 22 May 1964 | | | p4 - obituary |
|