So Who Was Thomas Henry Dobson?

  

An A-Z of Architects of Loughborough

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Short biography of Thomas Henry Dobson

The birth of Thomas Henry Dobson was registered in the second quarter of 1876, in Loughborough. His parents were Charles Albert Dobson and his wife Annie (née Rowbotham). In 1881 the family were living at 80 Regent Street, Loughborough. Charles was aged 29, and was a master joiner employing 1 man and 1 boy. Thomas Henry now had a younger brother, George, aged 1.

By the time of the 1891 census, Thomas Henry was living with his parents, and siblings George (11) and William (7) and sister Muriel L. aged 1, at 11 Ashby Road. He was aged 14, and was articled to George Harry Barrowcliff, local architect, and remained with him as an improver and assistant until 1895.

Between 1895 and 1900 Thomas Henry worked as an assistant to Willie Thomas Hampton, another local architect, as his assistant. Thomas Henry moved away in 1900, and worked as an assistant to John Bond Pearce, between 1900 and 1903. Pearce was an architect based in Norwich, who was responsible for designing the Town Hall at Great Yarmouth, the Manor Hotel at Mundesley in Norfolk, and the restoration of Buxton parish church also in Norfolk, amongst other things.

At the time of the 1901 census, Thomas Henry was aged 24 and was boarding with the Wells family at 2 Norfolk Street, Norwich. In the summer of 1901, he married Annie Squire of Leamington Spa, at Barrow-on-Soar.

Between 1903 and1904, Thomas Henry was assistant to John Owen Bond, also an architect in Norwich, who included church work, cinema design, and industrial building design amongst his portfolio. After only a year, Thomas Henry became assistant to Henry Ward, with whom he stayed until 1907.

When the 1911 census was taken, Thomas Henry and wife Annie, now both aged 34, were living at 14 Belle Vue Crescent, Llandaff, in a house which had six rooms. He was an architect and surveyor with the Education Committee of Glamorgan County Council. Sometime before the 1921 census was taken Thomas Henry and Annie moved to Nottinghamshire, and at the time of the censes both were aged 45, and living at 174 Newcastle Avenue, Worksop. Thomas Henry was working as an architect and surveyor’s assistant for Frederick Hopksinon & Co. Ltd., builders and contractors who were based at 81 Bridge Street, Worksop.

Thomas Henry died on 5 November 1931 in Southsea, where the couple were living at 14 Herbert Road. Probate was granted 27 November to widow Annie. Effects were £422 7s 8d.

Sadly, I have been unable to identify any buildings designed by Thomas Henry Dobson, but am aware that some information is hiding in local archives – I simply haven’t had time to get in touch with the archivists.  

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Basic facts

Architect – Thomas Henry Dobson

Parents: Charles Austin Dobson, master joiner, and Annie (née Rowbotham) of Leamington Spa

Date and place of Birth: 1876, Loughborough

Spouse: Annie Squire

Children: None found

Death: 1931, Southsea

Places lived: 80 Regent Street, Loughborough; 11 Ashby Road, Loughborough; 2 Norfolk street, Norwich; 14 Belle Vue Crescent, Llandaff; 174 Newcastle Avenue, Worksop; 14 Herbert Road, Southsea

Place of work/Offices: 81 Bridge Street, Worksop

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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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