The Dell's Architect, Thomas Wonnacott (1834-1918)
by Mr John Webb, March 2001.
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In his early life he was a school teacher in Cornwall. |
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1859 |
Entered an architectural office when 25 years old. Studied privately and attended lectures by Professor Lewis at University College, London. |
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1866 |
Passed Volutary Architectural Examination (Proficiency). |
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1870 |
Elected Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (R.I.B.A.) on 5 December and read a brief paper on cement concrete. |
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1876 |
Elected Fellow of the R.I.B.A. on 28 February. In his statement attached to his application for election he listed buildings he had designed of a value of £1000 and upwards (the majority being in the Farnham area of Surrey). These included 12 public buildings (non-conformist churches, schools and hotels), 10 houses and shops, and 20 houses or villas, including a villa at Grays for ‘Professor Wallace'. A villa called "Fernlands", Chertsea is noted as being a "concrete villa illustrated in Builder" (it was built in 1870 by Charles Drake, a pioneer builder in concrete). |
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1890 |
Has an address in Falmouth, Cornwall. |
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1902 |
Retired. |
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1912 |
His wife died. |
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1918 |
Thomas Wonnacott died. Obituaries in Surrey and Hants News 21/11/1918 and R.I.B.A. Journal 1919. He was an active Methodist Lay Preacher and an artist. He left 2 sons (including Ernest William Malpas Wonnacott) and 4 daughters. |