Hodgson Fowler Collection

Plans drawn up by the successive firms of C. Hodgson Fowler, W. H. Wood and Wood & Oakley relating to restoration of tower and spire at York All Saints, North Street, 1884; creation of reredos at York All Saints Pavement, n.d.; restoration and rebuilding of west end of York Holy Trinity, Micklegate, 1886, 1894-1904; restoration of York St Cuthbert, 1911-1912; alterations to York St John, Ousebridge, 1883; rebuilding of York St Lawrence, 1881; restoration of east end and north chapel at York St Sampson, 1875; restoration of York training school chapel, 1881; restoration and modernisation of 136-144 The Mount, York, 1912; restoration of Acaster Malbis Holy Trinity, 1884; rebuilding of St Andrew, Bishopthorpe, 1897; new doors and gateway at Bishopthorpe Palace, 1892, 1894-1895; rebuilding of St Giles, Copmanthorpe, 1889; rebuilding of All Saints, Upper Poppleton, 1889-1890; erection of lychgate at St Oswald, Fulford, c.1890.

The architectural firm of Wood & Oakley originated in 1927 when William H. Wood of Newcastle went into partnership with Edmund Oakley. Prior to this, Wood had been operating as W. H. Wood, having taken over the practice of Charles Hodgson Fowler at his death in 1910.
Both Wood and Hodgson Fowler specialised in ecclesiastical architecture. Hodgson Fowler had trained under Sir George Gilbert Scott, architect to the Dean and Chapter of Durham, and held the position of Clerk of Works to Durham Cathedral, in addition to architect to Rochester and Lincoln Cathedrals and diocesan architect for Lincoln, York and Durham.
Wood had begun his career in Newcastle upon Tyne with the architectural firm Oliver & Leeson, eventually rising to become a partner in the firm which was thereafter known as Oliver, Leeson & Wood. At the time of Hodgson Fowler’s death in 1910 Wood had been negotiating to join his practice as a partner. After taking over the practice he continued to operate from both Durham and Newcastle until c.1912 after which time he was based solely at Collingwood Street in Newcastle.
References to Wood & Oakley cease to appear in trade directories after 1939.

Records are open to the public, subject to the overriding provisions of relevant legislation, including data protection laws.

The archive was transferred to the Borthwick Institute by Newcastle City Archives in 1971. A further addition was made to the archive by Tyne & Wear Archive Service, the direct successor to Newcastle City Archives, in 1993.

The architectural firm of Wood & Oakley originated in 1927 when William H. Wood of Newcastle went into partnership with Edmund Oakley. Prior to this, Wood had been operating as W. H. Wood, having taken over the practice of Charles Hodgson Fowler at his death in 1910.
Both Wood and Hodgson Fowler specialised in ecclesiastical architecture. Hodgson Fowler had trained under Sir George Gilbert Scott, architect to the Dean and Chapter of Durham, and held the position of Clerk of Works to Durham Cathedral, in addition to architect to Rochester and Lincoln Cathedrals and diocesan architect for Lincoln, York and Durham.
Wood had begun his career in Newcastle upon Tyne with the architectural firm Oliver & Leeson, eventually rising to become a partner in the firm which was thereafter known as Oliver, Leeson & Wood. At the time of Hodgson Fowler’s death in 1910 Wood had been negotiating to join his practice as a partner. After taking over the practice he continued to operate from both Durham and Newcastle until c.1912 after which time he was based solely at Collingwood Street in Newcastle.
References to Wood & Oakley cease to appear in trade directories after 1939.

A typescript finding aid, to file level, is available for consultation in the searchroom of the Borthwick Institute.

Created by S. A. Shearn, 29.04.15.

A reprographics service is available to researchers subject to the access restrictions outlined above. Copying will not be undertaken if there is any risk of damage to the document. Copies are supplied in accordance with the Borthwick Institute for Archives' terms and conditions for the supply of copies, and under provisions of any relevant copyright legislation. Permission to reproduce images of documents in the custody of the Borthwick Institute must be sought.

The archive was initially acquired by Newcastle City Archives from offices which formerly belonged to an architect's firm in Newcastle. As neither the founder of the firm, nor many of the plans, had any connection to the Newcastle area, the decision was taken to distribute them to other archive offices.

Further accruals are not expected.

The administrative records of Wood & Oakley, architects, are held by Tyne and Wear Archive Service. These include client files, letter books, receipts, sketches and plans mainly relating to the work of W. H. Wood and Wood & Oakley but also projects taken over by Wood following the death of Charles Hodgson Fowler, 1865-1939.

Published

GB 193