Basic Biographical Details Name: | Willink & Thicknesse | Designation: | | Born: | 1884 | Died: | 1920 | Bio Notes: | William Edward Willink was born on 17 March 1856, the fourth son of Rev Arthur Willink, vicar of St Paul’s Tranmere, Cheshire, and Sarah Wakefield Cropper. His father died, aged 33, on 21 November 1862 in Madeira. William’s subsequent childhood was spent with his widowed mother and the Cropper family at Dingle Bank, Toxteth Park, an extensive estate that once ran down to the Mersey shore, but one that has long since disappeared, the site eventually covered by the Liverpool Festival Gardens.
He was articled to Alfred Waterhouse in London from 1873.before attending King’s College Cambridge where he was awarded a BA in 1881 and an MA in 1884. He commenced independent practice in Liverpool in 1882 and two years later took Philip Coldwell Thicknesse into partnership. His partnership with Thicknesse lasted until the latter's death in 1920, after which he worked in partnership with Harold Alfred Dod until his own death on 11 March 1924, following surgery.
W E Willink was elected an Associate member of the RIBA in 1885, having been a candidate in the first RIBA examinations held outside London, and was elected a Fellow in 1898. He was President of the Liverpool Architectural Society 1897-1899. A Justice of the Peace, he also was a member of the Liverpool City Council for sixteen years, serving as both councillor and alderman, and for some time acted as chairman of the Technical Instruction Committee. He was also chairman of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company, and a member of the General Committee of the Liverpool Cathedral.
On 16 February 1893 William Edward Willink married, Florence Macan Urmston, the daughter of Colonel Henry Brabazon Urmston of Tunbridge Wells. They had five children: Henry Urmston, (1894-1973), Derek Edward (1902-1986), Beatrice C, ( 1896- ), Mary Christina, (1899-1990) and Anna Wakefield Willink (1906-). Henry Urmston Willink was elected Conservative MP for Croydon North in 1940. After serving as Minister of Heath between 1943 and 1948, he became Master of Magdalene College, Cambridge (1948-1966) and, in 1957, was created 1st Baronet of Dingle Bank.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 14, Castle Street, Liverpool | Business | 1894 | 1900 | | | 2, Castle Street, Liverpool, England | Business | 1910 * | | | | Cunard Building, Brunswick Street, Pier Head, Liverpool, England | Business | c. 1918 | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Alfred Waterhouse | 1873 | c. 1878 | Apprentice | W E Willink - pupil |
Employees or Pupils
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | |
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