Watson Fothergill (12 July 1841 – 6 March 1928) was a British architect who designed over 100 unique buildings in
Nottingham
Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east ...
in the
East Midlands
The East Midlands is one of nine official regions of England at the first level of ITL for statistical purposes. It comprises the eastern half of the area traditionally known as the Midlands. It consists of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Li ...
of England, his influences were mainly from the
Gothic Revival
Gothic Revival (also referred to as Victorian Gothic, neo-Gothic, or Gothick) is an architectural movement that began in the late 1740s in England. The movement gained momentum and expanded in the first half of the 19th century, as increasingly ...
and
Old English
Old English (, ), or Anglo-Saxon, is the earliest recorded form of the English language, spoken in England and southern and eastern Scotland in the early Middle Ages. It was brought to Great Britain by Anglo-Saxon settlement of Britain, Anglo ...
vernacular architecture
Vernacular architecture is building done outside any academic tradition, and without professional guidance. This category encompasses a wide range and variety of building types, with differing methods of construction, from around the world, bo ...
styles.
His work dates from 1864 (when he set himself up in practice) to around 1912. His earliest surviving known building dates from 1866.
Early life
Born Fothergill Watson in
Mansfield
Mansfield is a market town and the administrative centre of Mansfield District in Nottinghamshire, England. It is the largest town in the wider Mansfield Urban Area (followed by Sutton-in-Ashfield). It gained the Royal Charter of a market tow ...
, Nottinghamshire in 1841, he was the son of wealthy
Nottingham
Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east ...
Lace
Lace is a delicate fabric made of yarn or thread in an open weblike pattern, made by machine or by hand. Generally, lace is divided into two main categories, needlelace and bobbin lace, although there are other types of lace, such as knitted o ...
merchant
A merchant is a person who trades in commodities produced by other people, especially one who trades with foreign countries. Historically, a merchant is anyone who is involved in business or trade. Merchants have operated for as long as indust ...
Robert Watson and Mary Ann Fothergill. He changed his name to Watson Fothergill in 1892 to continue his maternal family name.
Family
He married Anne Hage in 1867
at
St. John's Church, Mansfield
St. John's Church, Mansfield is a parish church in the Church of England located in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire.
The church is Grade II listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as it is a building of special architectural ...
. They had the following children:
*Marian Watson (1868–1955)
*Annie Forbes Watson (1869–1930)
*Edith Mary Watson (1871–1936)
*Eleanor Fothergill Watson (1872–1946)
*Samuel Fothergill Watson (1875–1915)
*Harold H Watson (1877-1905)
*Clarice Watson (1877–1955)
His father-in-law was Samuel Hage,
one of the founding partners of
Mansfield Brewery
Mansfield Brewery was a brewery and public house operating company, based in the North Nottinghamshire market town of Mansfield, England. Established in 1855, after being taken over by Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries in 1999, the brewing of the ...
.
His half-brother was Robert Mackie Watson, chairman of the Mansfield Improvement Commission and the Brunts' Charity.
Career
In 1856, he entered the St Peter’s Gate office of Frederick Jackson, an architect and surveyor in Nottingham. In mid-1860 he moved as assistant to
Isaac Charles Gilbert
Isaac Charles Gilbert (7 Jan 1822 – 4 March 1885) was an English architect based in Nottingham.
Career
He was born in Kingston upon Hull in 1822, the son of Joseph Gilbert (1779–1852) a Congregational minister and his wife Ann (Taylor) (17 ...
who was based in Clinton Street, Nottingham. After spending around 18 months with Gilbert, he moved in early 1862 to join the office of
Arthur William Blomfield
Sir Arthur William Blomfield (6 March 182930 October 1899) was an English architect. He became president of the Architectural Association in 1861; a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1867 and vice-president of the RIBA in ...
in London. In 1864 he was working with
John Middleton in Cheltenham, but in the same year, left to set up his own office at 6 Clinton Street, Nottingham.
He remained at Clinton Street until it was demolished by the works in connection with the arrival of the
Great Central Railway
The Great Central Railway in England was formed when the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway changed its name in 1897, anticipating the opening in 1899 of its London Extension. On 1 January 1923, the company was grouped into the ...
in 1894. He moved to a new temporary office at 18 George Street and arranged to rebuild 15 George Street opposite which he completed the next year and moved in on 12 December 1895.
He was in partnership with Lawrence George Summers from 1880 and he retired in 1912.
He is credited as having had a great impact on the architecture of the major British industrial city of
Nottingham
Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east ...
, and designed over a hundred buildings in the city, from offices, banks and warehouses, to churches and private dwelling houses. His easily recognisable style includes the use of contrasting horizontal bands of red and blue brick, dark timber eaves and balconies, and elaborate turrets and stone carving.
On his death in 1928, he left an estate valued at £73,908 5''s'' 11''d'' ().
List of major works
All Nottinghamshire unless otherwise stated.
1860s
* Cemetery Chapels, High Street, Ongar (joint architect with Isaac Charles Gilbert) – 1866
1870s
* Dwelling House, Mapperley Road, Nottingham (Fothergill's own house) – 1870
* Two Villas, 5 & 7 Lenton Road, The Park, Nottingham – 1873
* Temperance Hall (later
Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall on the northern edge of South Kensington, London. One of the UK's most treasured and distinctive buildings, it is held in trust for the nation and managed by a registered charity which receives no governm ...
), North Circus Street, Nottingham – 1873–1876
* Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank, Church Street, Mansfield – 1874–1875
*
Nottingham Daily Express
The ''Nottingham Daily Express'' was a local newspaper published in Nottingham between 1860 and 1918. It was a radical, Liberal and strongly Nonconformist newspaper.
History
It was published from 4 January 1860 to 6 April 1918. It continued as ...
Offices, Printing Works and Shops, Parliament Street, Nottingham – 1875
* King's Arms, Ratcliffe Gate and Newgate Lane, Mansfield – 1875–1877
* Cattle Market, Nottingham Road, Mansfield – 1876–1878
* Congregational Church (later United Reformed), Westgate, Mansfield – 1876–1878
* Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank and Residence, Thurland Street, Nottingham – 1877–1882
1880s
* Villa, Crow Hill Drive, Mansfield – 1880
* Six Dwelling Houses, Shops and Carriage House, Castle Road and Houndsgate, Nottingham – 1882–1883
* Five Houses and Shops, Derby Road, Nottingham – 1884
* Institute and Coffee Tavern, High Street, Hucknall – 1884
* Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank, Cattle Market, Loughborough, Leicestershire – 1885
* Villa, Loscoe Hill (Clawson Lodge), 405 Mansfield Road, Nottingham – 1885
* Institute and Coffee Tavern (Budworth Hall), High Street, Ongar, Epping Forest, Essex – 1885–1887
* Villa (Walton House), 39 Newcastle Drive, The Park, Nottingham – 1886
* St. Nicholas' Church Rectory,
Castle Gate, Nottingham – 1886–1887
* Pair of Villas, Loscoe Hill, 409 and 411 Mansfield Road, Nottingham – 1886–1887
*
Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank, Kirk Gate, Newark on Trent 1885–1887
* Rebuilding
Black Boy Hotel
The Black Boy Hotel was a coaching inn on Long Row in the centre of Nottingham until its demolition in 1970.
History
The inn first came into existence in the 17th century, and by 1700 there were stage coaches departing regularly. It was part of ...
(first major rebuild / extension),
Long Row
Long Row is a row of retail buildings in Nottingham City Centre forming the north side of Old Market Square, Nottingham.
Notable buildings Long Row West
*70 West End Arcade 1920s
*67 The Dragon by John Henry Statham. 1879. This was originally ...
, Nottingham – 1886–1888
* Pair of Villas, 62 and 64 Castle Boulevard, Nottingham – C1888
* Pair of Villas, 3 and 4 Huntingdon Drive, Nottingham – C1888
* Samuel Smith & Co's Bank, 24 Market Place, Long Eaton, Derbyshire – 1889
* Warehouse (Milbie House), Pilcher Gate, Nottingham – 1889
1890s
* Villa, (Elberton House), Cavendish Hill, 9 Hardwick Road, Nottingham – 1890
* Eight Ladies' Homes – Norris Almhouses, Berridge Road, Nottingham – 1892–1893
*
Emmanuel Church, Woodborough Road
Emmanuel Church, Nottingham was a Church of England church in Nottingham on Woodborough Road between 1883 and 1972.
History
The foundation stone was laid on 24 January 1884 by Mrs. Henry Wright of Heath House, Hampstead, widow of the late Revd ...
(1883–1893) – demolished 1972
*
Woodborough Road Baptist Church
Woodborough Road Baptist Church is a former Baptist Church on Woodborough Road in Nottingham. It is a Grade II listed building. It was converted around 1980 and after being run as the Pakistani League of Friends, is now a Pakistan Community Cent ...
, Woodborough Road and Alfred Street North, Nottingham – 1893–1895
* Simons and Pickard Paper Warehouse, Lenton (Castle) Boulevard, Nottingham – 1893–1894
* House, Kingswood,
Bulcote
Bulcote is a village and civil parish in the Newark and Sherwood district of Nottinghamshire, England. According to the 2001 census it had a population of 330, reducing to 309 at the 2011 Census. The village is on the fringe of the Greater Notti ...
– 1893
* Two Semi-Detached Villas (Cleave House), 1 and 3 Sherwood Rise, Nottingham
– 1894–1895
* Rebuilding of Nos 15 & 17 George Street, Nottingham (
Watson Fothergill's offices
Watson Fothergill’s office is a Grade II listed building in George Street, Nottingham.
History
The arrival of the Great Central Railway in Nottingham resulted in the relocation of all businesses in the area required for the construction of Nott ...
) – 1894–1895
*
Jessops' Shop and Workrooms, 14–30 King Street, Nottingham – 1894–1897
* Four Shops and Offices (
Queen's Chambers),
Long Row
Long Row is a row of retail buildings in Nottingham City Centre forming the north side of Old Market Square, Nottingham.
Notable buildings Long Row West
*70 West End Arcade 1920s
*67 The Dragon by John Henry Statham. 1879. This was originally ...
and King Street, Nottingham – 1896–1899
* Shop and Office (Furley and Co) (now Lloyds Bank), Parliament Street and Clinton Street, Nottingham – 1896–1897
* Ellenborough House, 3 South Road, The Park, Nottingham – extended 1896–1897
* Cuckson, Hazeldine and Manderfield Warehouses, Stoney Street and Barker Gate, Nottingham – 1897–1898
*
Black Boy Hotel
The Black Boy Hotel was a coaching inn on Long Row in the centre of Nottingham until its demolition in 1970.
History
The inn first came into existence in the 17th century, and by 1700 there were stage coaches departing regularly. It was part of ...
Additions and Two Shops (second major rebuild/extension),
Long Row
Long Row is a row of retail buildings in Nottingham City Centre forming the north side of Old Market Square, Nottingham.
Notable buildings Long Row West
*70 West End Arcade 1920s
*67 The Dragon by John Henry Statham. 1879. This was originally ...
, Nottingham – 1897–1900
* Rebuilding of the Rose of England Inn, Mansfield Road, Nottingham – 1898–1900
* Brewery, Mar Hill, Carlton – 1899
* Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Bank and House, 111
Carrington Street, Nottingham
Carrington Street is a street in Nottingham city centre between Nottingham station and Broadmarsh.
History
The street was laid out by Henry Moses Wood, Surveyor in 1828. The opportunity offered by the construction of this new road was taken to ...
– 1899
1900s
* Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Branch Bank, St Ann's Well Road, Nottingham – 1900–1901
* Sixteen Houses, Foxhall Road, Nottingham – 1901–1902
* Union of London and Smith's Bank, Market Place, Bulwell – 1904
* Villa, Mapperley Road, Nottingham (Joint Architect with Lawrence George Summers) – 1905
* Four Houses, Mansfield Road and Bingham Road, Nottingham – 1906–1907
Gallery
File:Watson Fothergills Offices at 15 George Street in Nottingham.jpg, Watson Fothergill's office at 15–17 George Street, Nottingham
Nottingham ( , East Midlands English, locally ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, England. It is located north-west of London, south-east ...
File:Statue on the frontage of Watson Fothergills offices.JPG, Statue (by Nathaniel Hitch) on the frontage of Watson Fothergill's office
File:Villa at Bridgegate in Retford.JPG, Villa at Bridgegate in Retford
File:Houses and Shops at Castle Road in Nottingham.jpg, Houses and Shops at Castle Road in Nottingham
File:Banking House at Kirkgate in Newark.JPG, Banking House at Kirkgate in Newark
File:Eight Ladies Homes at Sherwood Rise in Nottingham.JPG, Eight Ladies Homes at Sherwood Rise in Nottingham
File:Woodborough Road Baptist Chapel.JPG, Woodborough Road Baptist Chapel
File:Shops and Offices at Long Row and King Street in Nottingham.jpg, Queen’s Chambers at Long Row and King Street in Nottingham
File:Carlton Laundry - geograph.org.uk - 1738487.jpg, Carlton Laundry
File:Castle Court - geograph.org.uk - 1734201.jpg, Castle Court, Castle Boulevard
File:Rose of England - geograph.org.uk - 1024335.jpg, Rose of England public house, Mansfield Road, Nottingham
File:Black Boy Hotel.jpg, Black Boy Hotel
The Black Boy Hotel was a coaching inn on Long Row in the centre of Nottingham until its demolition in 1970.
History
The inn first came into existence in the 17th century, and by 1700 there were stage coaches departing regularly. It was part of ...
, Long Row, Nottingham
Further reading
*Brand, Ken (2009) "Watson Fothergill: a provincial goth", in: Ferry, Kathryn, ed. ''Powerhouses of Provincial Architecture, 1837–1914''. London: Victorian Society; pp. 28–43
*Turner, Darren (2012) "A Catalogue of the Works of Watson Fothergill, Architect."
References
External links
The Watson Fothergill Home PageA catalogue of Watson Fothergill's workNorris Ladies Almshouses, Berridge Road, Nottingham on Google Street ViewClawson Lodge, Watcombe Road, Nottingham on Google Street View21 and 23 Newcastle Drive, The Park, Nottingham on Google Street View39 Newcastle Drive, The Park, Nottingham on Google Street ViewEdale House, Clumber Road East, The Park, Nottingham on Google Street ViewNo 3, South Road, The Park, Nottingham on Google Street ViewNo. 5 and No. 7 Lenton Road, The Park, Nottingham on Google Street ViewNo. 3 and No. 4 Huntingdon Drive, The Park, Nottingham on Google Street View93–95 Derby Road, Nottingham on Google Street View*
ttps://www.geograph.org.uk/article/The-Buildings-of-Watson-Fothergill A collection of photographs of Fothergill buildings on Geograph UK
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fothergill, Watson
1841 births
1928 deaths
People from Mansfield
Architects from Nottinghamshire
Architects from Nottingham