Leicester 2023, Moments, Meanderings And Memories. Part 16 — Stockdale Harrison
Stockdale Harrison (1845–10 November 1914) FRIBA was a well-known Leicester architect active in the late-Victorian and Edwardian periods based in Leicester and best known for Usher Hall, Edinburgh. He was born on the 31st of December 1845, the son of William Harrison (1813–1873) timber merchant, and Mary Everard (1820–1869). He was christened on 2 December 1846 in St George’s Church, Leicester.
His training included an initial period from 1862 articled to James Bird, Leicester, followed by a move to London where he worked with Mr George Somers Clarke. In 1870 he returned to Leicester and began his private practice from Hotel Street. In 1876 the practice moved to 7, St Martins. In 1882 he became an Associate of the RIBA; in 1890 he became FRIBA. During 1890–1892 he became President of the Leicestershire and Rutland Society of Architects.
He married artist Marianne Bailey (1847–1923), daughter of James Bailey and Mary Ann nee Musk, on 4 September 1872 at St Paul’s Church, Leicester, and their children were: James Stockdale Harrison (1874–1952), Shirley Harrison (1875–1961), Marianne Harrison (1878–1971), Florence Harrison (b. 1878), (Captain) Everard Harrison (1880–1917), Gregory Harrison (1883–1889), Priscilla Harrison (1885–1975), Margaret Harrison (1891).
Two of his sons joined the practice at 7, St Martins, Leicester. James Stockdale Harrison (1874–1952) was articled to his father from 1892 and became an assistant on passing his qualifying exams in 1898. He probably eventually worked as the firm’s business manager. Leicester Trade Directories suggest that Shirley Harrison (1876–1961) joined his father’s practice in 1904. From 1904 the practice was known as Stockdale Harrison and Sons.
Stockdale Harrison initially designed in the gothic revival style which he continued to use for churches. By the 1880s he developed his own version of the Domestic or Vernacular Revival style, mainly in Leicester, but also in other areas of the East Midlands.
A fine example is the Grade II listed Spinney Hill Park Lodge of 1888 built of red brick with a Swithland slate roof. Later he built his own residence at 15 Elms Road in a design drawn from a variety of historical English architectural styles. Stockdale Harrison & Sons designed several enchanting Arts & Crafts style houses, including 146 to 154 Upper New Walk, and several in Stoneygate.
These homes have enhanced the street scene for decades, helping to make Stoneygate a desirable place in which to live. Other fine Arts & Crafts style houses include Hastings House of 1902 by Stockdale Harrison, Middlemeade of 1904 by Shirley Stockdale Harrison and Southmeade by the partnership. These houses are now used as University halls of residence and can be seen from the Botanic Garden in Oadby.
In the city centre, the former Saracen’s Head adjacent to the elegant City Rooms, is an attractive Arts & Crafts style building in red brick with a graduated Swithland slate roof. Designed by Stockdale Harrison, this charming building is sadly diminished by the present-day addition of a plastic advertising banner and nondescript blackboard signage at the entrance.
Another notable building by Stockdale Harrison is the Abbey Pumping Station (1889–91) built to house the magnificent Gimson beam engines in a grand style, which carried out the noble task of disposing of sewage for the citizens of Leicester.
De Montfort Hall was built in 1913 for Leicester Corporation as a concert hall, to a design by Shirley Stockdale Harrison. This is surely the jewel in the crown of the partnership. The hall has faced up to the changing tastes in entertainment, having been a venue for classical music, boxing, fashion shows and pop music concerts. Today the hall hosts music festivals and diverse events throughout the year. Both universities use the hall for their graduation ceremonies, when the new graduates no doubt take away with them treasured memories of their special day. The magnificent organ, the gift of Alfred Corah, is the only surviving concert organ built by the Leicester company, Stephen Taylor & Sons. It was fully restored in 2004. In the De Montfort Hall, Shirley Stockdale Harrison created a building which is virtually timeless in design. Fronted by attractive gardens, it looks as elegant and pleasing today as it did, newly built, a century ago.
His last work was St Guthlac’s Church, South Knighton, Leicester, 1912. From 1904, many of the arts and crafts style works by the practice were designed by his son, Shirley Harrison who with H. H. Thompson also designed De Montfort Hall, 1913 and the Usher Hall, Edinburgh.
He died on 10 November 1914 leaving an estate valued at £22,529 7s 10d (equivalent to £2,300,184 in 2021) and the business continued under the management of his sons James and Shirley.
Works
Conway Buildings, Grey Friars, Leicester 1878 (first picture)
Church School, St Saviour’s, Leicester 1882–83
St Martin’s Church, Desford 1884. Extension and restoration
Infirmary Wards, Workhouse, Fox Hill, Leicester 1886
Holy Cross Schools, New Walk, Leicester 1886–1887
Spinney Hill Park Lodge, Leicester 1888
Westcotes Free Library 1889
15 Elms Road, Leicester
146–154 Upper New Walk, Leicester
Wentworth, London Road, Leicester
Newstead, Birstall Hill Park Road, Birstall
Vaughan College, Leicester (replaced in 1967)
Abingdon House, Springfield Road
Four Gables, Elms Road, Leicester
27 Elms Road, Leicester
Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester 1889–91
Vestry Street Baths, Leicester 1891
Grovesnor Rooms, 16 Halford Street, Leicester 1892
St Thomas’ Church, South Wigston 1892–1893 with tower of 1901
Freemen’s Cottages, Wigston Road, Leicester 1893
Stockdale House, 18 Stoneygate Road, Leicester 1897
10–16 Stoneygate Road, Leicester 1897
1–7 Albert Road, Leicester 1897
Redcliffe, The Park Estate, Nottingham 1897–98
St Stephen’s Church, North Evington 1897–98
Hastings House, Stoughton Drive South, 1902
Middlemeade 1904 (by Shirley Stockdale Harrison)
Saracen’s Head, Hotel Street/Market Place, Leicester 1904
Rectory, Sawday Street, Leicester 1911
Usher Hall, Edinburgh 1911–1914
Britannia Mills, Markeaton Street, Derby 1912–13
De Montfort Hall, Leicester 1913
St Guthlac’s Church, South Knighton, Leicester 1912
14 Woodland Avenue, Stoneygate, Leicester 1913
Other pieces will appear in this library as they are added, or check out the previous pieces published.
If you liked this post, follow me or get on my email list for future posts. Some may even be more enjoyable than this one.
And if you are not a member, consider subscribing to Medium to support my writing and discover lots of other great writers, posts, and articles, including those I have already published here.
