So Who Was Ernest George Fowler

An A-Z of Architects of Loughborough

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Short biography of Ernest George Fowler

Ernest George Fowler was born in Loughborough and baptised at All Saints church in 1881. His parents were printer and compositor, John Richard (born in Loughborough in 1853), and Sarah Ann, née Tomlinson (born in Rugby around 1860), who were married in 1880, and were living on Meadow Lane at the time of Ernest’s birth. By 1891, the family had moved to 11 Chestnut Street, Loughborough, and Ernest was studying at the Loughborough Grammar School. In 1901, the family were still living on Chestnut Street, and Ernest, the first-born of John and Sarah’s four children, was listed as a clerk in a technical education office, probably working for Leicestershire County Council.

The marriage of Ernest George Fowler, to Flora Cunningham, also of Loughborough, was registered in the second quarter of 1904, in Loughborough, and their daughter, Elaine Mary was born in 1906. In 1907, Ernest was initiated into the John O’Gaunt Lodge of the Leicester Freemasons. Another daughter, Audrey Flora Lilian was born in 1908, and son John Ernest arrived in 1910. By 1911, the family were now living at ‘Midrise’, Rothley Plain, and Ernest was aged 29, his occupation listed as architect and surveyor to Leicestershire Education Committee, while Flora was aged 31.  

Ernest served during the First World War, and it was sometime between 1911 and 1921, that the family moved to Whetstone House, in Whetstone, Leicester, a home with 14 rooms. Ernest’s job was listed on the census return as architect and surveyor, working for Leicestershire County Council in offices on Bowling Green Street. By now, Ernest and Flora had another daughter, Sheila Margaret, born in 1915.

Meanwhile, Ernest’s career was going well, and he was busy designing educational buildings, and in 1925, whilst still living at Whetstone House, he was recognised as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

The family left Whetstone House sometime after 1930, and by 1939 they were living at 41 Wigston Road, Oadby, in a house called Brooklyn on The Oval. Ernest was still a working architect and surveyor with the Leicester County Council, but only daughter Sheila was still living with her parents.  

Captain Fowler retired from Leicestershire County Council in September 1948 at the age of 66, after more than 48 years with the service. A retirement do was held for him, and Sir Robert Martin, chair of the County Council, put the value of the work Ernest had done for the county at over £1m., which is around £40m in today’s money. Ernest’s position as County Architect was filled by Tom Anderson Collins.

Ernest died on 16 January 1950, and probate was granted to his widow, Flora. His effects were £2,312 15s. 1d. Flora lived on until 1965.

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What follows is a selection of buildings designed by Fowler, during his time as County Architect for Leicestershire Education Committee

Note: this is a selective, not a comprehensive listing.

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Specifically

*Rutland Hall, Loughborough University (opened 1932)

*Hazlerigg Hall, Loughborough University (1937)

*Extensions to Hinckley Grammar School (1927)

*South Wigston Modern Boys’ and Girls’ School and health centre

*Melton Mowbray Modern Girls, and primary school, and health centre

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Generally

*Over 40 new primary schools

*17 new secondary schools

*Extensions to 23 primary and 23 secondary schools

*Three technical schools

*Over 100 kitchens for the county school meals service

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Basic facts

Architect – Captain Ernest George Fowler

Parents: John Richard Fowler, a printer, and Sarah Ann, née Tomlinson

Date and place of Birth: 1881, Loughborough

Spouse: Flora Cunningham

Children: Elaine Mary (b.1906), Audrey Flora Lillian (b.1908), John Ernest (b.1910), Sheila Margaret (b.1915)

Death: 1950, Oadby

Places lived: 1881, Meadow Lane, Loughborough; c.1891-1903, 11 Chestnut Street, Loughborough; c.1904-c.1914, ‘Midrise’ Rothley Plain; 1914, Whetstone House, Whetstone, Leicester; 1939-1950, ‘Brooklyn’, The Oval, Oadby

Place of work/Offices: Bowling Green Street, Leicester

Education: Loughborough Grammar School

Qualifications:

1925 – Fellow of RIBA

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I’m taking part in the April A-Z Blogging Challenge!

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Posted by lynneaboutloughborough

With apologies for typos which are all mine!

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