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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Biographic Details
Name:
James Lomax-Simpson
Designation :
Architect
Date of Birth:
Year Only
Exact DOB:
17/05/1926
Year of Birth :
1882
Circa Year of Birth :
Date of Birth Before (Year):
Date of Birth After (Year):
DOB (1st 'Or' Year):
DOB (2nd 'Or' Year):
Date of Death:
Exact Date
Exact DOD:
16/06/1977
Year of Death:
Circa Year of Death:
Date of Death Before (Year):
Date of Death After (Year):
DOD (1st 'Or' Year):
DOD (2nd 'Or' Year):
Town of Birth :
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.
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Buildings and Designs
This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
Buildings and Designs2 classic
Building Name
Date Started
Town, District or Village
Island
City or County
Country
Notes
Goathill Cottages
In year 1919
Stornoway
Lewis
Ross & Cromarty
Scotland
Lews Castle, hotel in grounds
c. 1919
Stornoway
Lewis
Ross & Cromarty
Scotland
Designs drawn - with Lutyens
Stornoway Town Improvement Scheme
In year 1920
Stornoway
Lewis
Ross and Cromarty
Scotland
Housing for Lord Leverhulme's Managers
c. 1920
Stornoway
Lewis
Ross & Cromarty
Scotland
Attribution by Mary Miers
Unilever House
C1929
London
England
Original design
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References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this person:
Bib ref classic
Author
Title
Date
Publisher
Part
Notes
British Architectural Library, RIBA
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914
2001
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Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this person:
Period ref classic
Periodical Name
Publisher
Date Circ
Edition
Notes
The Times
1977/06/22
p19 Obituary
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Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this person:
Arc ref classic
Archive Name
Source
Source Cat No
Building Id
Item Name
Notes
Bolton Local Studies
201055
201055
(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
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