Miles Thompson (architect)

Miles Thompson (1808-1868) was an English architect from Kendal, then in Westmorland.[1]

The Miles Thompson pub, formerly Kendal Public Wash-house, designed by Thompson

He was employed by Francis and George Webster as a draughtsman from about 1825, was taken into partnership in 1845, and took over the business when George retired in 1846.[1][2]

Selected works
ImageDateLocationBuildingComments
1864-1866ArnsideSt James' Church
1857Irton with SantonChurch of St PaulGrade II* listed[3]
1864Kendal, All Hallows LanePublic wash-house and bathsGrade II listed.[4] Now "The Miles Thompson" pub.
1844Kendal, Bankside RoadInghamite chapelConverted into apartments in 1985
1852Kendal, HighgateSandes Hospital almshouses, rebuilding[5][6]
1855Kirkby LonsdaleMarket HouseGrade II listed.[7]

Life and legacy
Thompson's statuette on 21 Beast Banks, Kendal

He did not marry, and died in Kendal on 26 August 1868. In his will he left several properties in and around Kendal to his three brothers Robert, Marcellus and John and various nieces and nephews.[8]

A statuette of Thompson was placed by his brother Robert on top of the gable of number 21 Beast Banks in Kendal. After it deteriorated, a replacement was erected by the Kendal Civic Society.[1]

John Close, writing in 1862, celebrates Thompson in one of a group of biographical poems entitled "Nature's Nobility". The first verse, of seven, is:

Nature, when in a genial mood
Created Miles so clever;
And fortune smiles upon him too, -
Success attends him ever.

— J. Close, Once a year, tales and legends of Westmorland, Issue 1[9]

The Kendal public wash-house building in Allhallows Lane which he designed is now a Wetherspoons pub named "The Miles Thompson" in his memory, having served as offices for South Lakeland District Council in between.[10]

References
  1. "Miles Thompson". Open Plaques. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  2. "Webster, George (1797–1864)". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/38115. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
  3. Historic England. "Church of St Paul (1086671)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  4. Historic England. "Public wash house and baths with adjoining public convenience (1312303)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  5. "Kendal - Sandes Hospital". Visit Cumbria. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  6. "Miles Thompson green plaque in Kendal". BluePlaquePlaces.com. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  7. Historic England. "Market House (1311751)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  8. "Will (copy) of Miles Thompson of the Lound, nr. Kendal, architect, made 14 November 1866, proved (Carlisle) 3 October 1868". The National Archives. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
  9. Close, John (1862). Once a year, tales and legends of Westmorland, Issue 1. p. 20. Full text available in Google Books
  10. "The Miles Thompson". Wetherspoons. Retrieved 2 August 2016.
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