Harrison

Life
While Thomas (c.1744-1829) is the more famous, James (1814-1866) was also a noted architect in Chester. The relationship between the two is not clear - James was not the son of Thomas, as Thomas and his wife Margaret Shackleton had three children who survived childhood; a son, John (who died in 1802), and two daughters

Thomas Harrison
Thomas Harrison was born in Richmond, Yorkshire, England, the son of a joiner, also named Thomas. His precise date of birth is not known, but it is likely that he was baptised on 7 August 1744. Little is known about his early life, other than he attended Richmond Grammar School, and it is presumed that he worked with his father. In 1769 he was sponsored by a local landowner, Sir Lawrence Dundas of Aske Hall, to join George Cuitt (later a landscape painter) to study in Rome, where he spent seven years, including a period at the Accademia di San Luca.

James Harrison


Is considered to be a major pioneer of the Vernacular Revival in Chester. He designed new churches in Gothic Revival style, including Holy Ascension Church, Upton by Chester and Holy Trinity Church, Watergate Street. Harrison also made alterations to other churches, including the virtual rebuilding of St Michael's Church, and working on the tower of the Church of St Mary-on-the Hill. He designed the then Chester Savings Bank, and converted the medieval St Nicholas' Chapel into a concert hall.

Thomas Harrison

 * 1807 - Commercial News Rooms;

James Harrison

 * 1850 - St Michael's Church in Bridge Street;
 * 1853 - Chester Savings Bank in Grosvenor Street;
 * 1855 - Rebuilt the Theatre Royal in Northgate Street as the Music Hall;
 * 1858 - Number #40 in Bridge Street
 * 1862 - God's Providence House in Watergate Street;

Sources & Links

 * Thomas Harrison on Wikipedia;
 * List of Works by Thomas Harrison;
 * James Harrison on Wikipedia;
 * List of Works by James Harrison;