Thomas Harrison was an English architect who flourished in the last two decades of the 18th century and the first three decades of the 19th century. Little is known of his early life, and his precise date of birth is not known. He was born in Richmond, Yorkshire, and was baptised on 7 August 1744. In 1769 he was sent to study architecture in Rome. He started his professional life as an architect in 1782.[1] This followed his success in a competition to design Skerton Bridge in Lancaster, Lancashire,[2] as a result of which he moved to Lancaster.[3] While there he carried out a number of projects, including a new tower and spire for St John's Church, a clock tower for the town hall,[4] and new buildings within the complex of Lancaster Castle.[5] While he was working on Lancaster Castle, he was also involved in the design of new buildings within Chester Castle, Cheshire.[6] In 1795, Harrison moved with his family to Chester, where he spent the rest of his career.[1][3] Following his success with Skerton Bridge, Harrison designed more bridges, including Harrington Bridge in Derbyshire, St Mary's Bridge in Derby, Stramongate Bridge in Kendal, Cumbria, and smaller bridges in Lancashire,[7] and Cheshire.[8]
Buildings of national or international importance, either architectural or historic, or fine little-altered examples of some particular period, style or building type.
Category B
Buildings of regional or more than local importance, or major examples of some particular period, style or building type which may have been altered.
Category C(S)
Buildings of local importance, lesser examples of any period, style, or building type, as originally constructed or moderately altered; and simple traditional buildings which group well with others in categories A and B.
A new bridge crossing the River Lune costing £14,000 (equivalent to £1,890,000 in 2021).[31] It was the first large public bridge in England to have a flat road deck.[3][32][33][34][35]
The earliest building was the county gaol on a site sloping down to the River Dee. It has been largely demolished and was replaced by Cheshire County Hall. At about the some time the Shire Hall was built and still functions as a criminal court.[46][47][48][49]
A large suburban villa, almost certainly by Harrison. Demolished in 1862. The Centenary Building of the Royal Lancaster Infirmary now stands on the site. If by Harrison, it was his earliest house.[52]
Built as a gentlemen's club, with a library and a newsroom, at a cost of £11,000 (equivalent to £1,040,000 in 2021).[31] Later a post office.[9][75][76]
Further buildings including an armoury on the west side of the parade ground, barracks (later a museum) on the east side, and a propylaea or gateway (pictured).[47][48][87][88][89][90]
Replacement of nave and porches after storm damage. The nave is wider than the previous nave, the work costing about £1,500 (equivalent to £130,000 in 2021).[31] It has since been altered.[85][91][92]
Built to replace the old gaol at Northgate, costing about £3,500 (equivalent to £290,000 in 2021).[31] It has been demolished, and the site is now occupied by the Queen's School.[79]
Replacing an earlier exchange, it provided a meeting place for merchants, including a newsroom, a library, a dining room, and a post office. It was enlarged in 1849, and replaced in 1874.[95][96]
Harrison enlarged and remodelled the rear of this country house for the 2nd Lord Kenyon at a cost of £6,675 (equivalent to £520,000 in 2021).[31] The house was demolished between in 1978, and a new house has been built on the site.[100][101]
Almost certainly designed by Harrison. It was a country house built for Trafford Trafford. The house has been incorporated into the buildings of Lymm High School.[109][110][111]
Built on the highest point of the Clwydian Range to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of George III. The foundation stone was laid in 1810, but construction did not start until 1813, and it was never fully completed. It was in the form of an Egyptian obelisk. In 1862 the obelisk collapsed. The remains were consolidated into a viewing platform in 1970.[14][115][116]
A new tower and lantern after the previous steeple had collapsed in 1810. It cost over £22,000 (equivalent to £540,000 in 2021),[31] and rises to a height of 120 feet (36.6 m).[121][122][123]
Villa for Peter Marsland, a local industrialist. Later a museum, then offices. Harrison almost certainly also designed the entrance screen.[124][125][126]
A timber bridge carrying what is now the A49 road over the River Mersey. It replaced a medieval structure at a cost of £3,000 (equivalent to £230,000 in 2021).[31] It was itself replaced in 1837 by a stone bridge.[127]
Built with an Ionic front, replacing a ruined chapel dating from 1408. Burnt down in 1891, and the remaining fragments were incorporated in St John's Church.[131][132][133]
Built as a house for Jacob Fletcher. The grounds have been used as a municipal golf course since 1921. The house has been seriously damaged by fire and is in ruins, other than its northwest part, which is used as the golf club house.[136][137][138]
Harrison was the first architect to be involved in the 19th-century restoration of the cathedral. His work included rebuilding the front of the central south transept.[147][148][149]
Alterations made for Rowland Hill, 1st Viscount Hill, at a cost of £4,911 (equivalent to £450,000 in 2021).[31] It was later extended, but demolished in 1931. Harrison's entrance lodge survives and is listed at Grade II.[159][160][161]
A villa built by Harrison for his own use. It has since been used for various purposes, including as a parsonage, and as an administrative office for the police.[13][167][168]
Harrison designed the bridge as an alternative crossing of the River Dee to the Old Dee Bridge. He resigned before it was finished, and its completion was supervised by his pupil William Cole. At the time it was built it was the largest structure of its type in the world.[3][18][19][20][21][22][49] Its span of 200 feet (61 m) is still the longest masonry arch in Britain.[35]
Champness, John (2005), Thomas Harrison: Georgian Architect of Chester and Lancaster 1744–1829, Centre for North-West Regional Studies, University of Lancaster, ISBN1-86220-169-2
