Frank Parkinson
Encyclopedia
Frank Parkinson was a British electrical engineer, most notable for early electric lighting installations, such as light bulbs and electric motors. He was a major benefactor to the University of Leeds
with the landmark tower (appearing on the university logo) named in his honour.
, he began his studies in electrical engineering in 1908 at Leeds University. He first worked for local firm Rhodes Motors, before setting up F & A. Parkinson and Company in partnership with his brother Albert. The firm continued to grow making Frank 'Yorkshire's quietest millionaire'.
In 1927 he took over Crompton Lighting to form Crompton Parkinson
. Crompton Lighting was one of the oldest lighting companies in the world, founded in 1878 by Colonel REB Crompton, a multi-talented entrepreneur who designed and installed some of the earliest recorded electric lighting installations at buildings such as Windsor Castle
and Holyrood Palace
. Established as an industry leader, Crompton Parkinson was taken over by the Hawker Siddeley aerospace group in 1968 and the Crompton range continued to be further diversified to incorporate cable, fuses, batteries and metering instruments in addition to lamps and luminaires. On 17 May 2002, the factory in his home town closed down.
After seeing plans for the new Leeds University buildings in 1936, Parkinson, by then one of West Yorkshire's most successful businessmen, offered to pay for the entrance hall and tower. The Parkinson Building
and Tower has been a major landmark in Leeds and a defining feature of the University since its opening on 9 November 1951.
He lived at Charters near Ascot, in an art deco home which has since been converted into flats. After Parkinson's death, the house was loaned to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor when they returned to England in 1947 and two years later it was bought by Sir Montague Burton
, boss of the Leeds tailoring empire. Since 1959 it has been owned by Vickers Research and the DeBeers diamond mining company.
There is a picture of him at the National Portrait Gallery
Two trusts were set up following his death from the proceeds of his estate: the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust and the smaller Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust.
His Yorkshire Trust has the objectives of: a) the provision of relief and assistance in any form to old, sick and/or poor persons living in the County of Yorks, or of Yorkshire antecedents, and in particular, primarily but not exclusively living
in, or associated with, or having antecedents fron the Parish of Guiseley. b) the provision of hospital accommodation and/or convalescent home accommodation in the form of endowment of a bed or beds at any hospital or otherwise for the benefit of such persons as aforesaid. c) the provision or assistance in the provision of almshouses for old people in the said Parish of
Guiseley. d) the encouragement and assistance of Technical Education in the Electrical Industry generally. e) the establishment of Scholarships, Bursaries and Exhibitions at any University, Technical School or other Educational Institution in the United Kingdom or under any scheme of apprenticeships for training in any branch of the Electrical Industry. f) the granting offinancial assistance in any form and under any conditions to enable young persons of ability who are in need of such assistance and are working or intending to work in the Electrical Industry and whether such young persons shall be from the home country or abroad to improve their education and experience by working or training abroad, or in this country.
g) the establishment of convalescent homes, hospitals and clinics of all kinds for work people in the Electrical Industry. h) the provision of assistance in any form for persons engaged in the Electrical Industry, who may be unemployed and in necessitous circumstances. i) the making of grants to any charity which is carrying on any work in connection with the
provision of any such benefits as aforesaid.
The trust contributes towards a complex of 43 flats and bungalows offering sheltered accommodation in Guiseley. It has a long waiting list, with potential residents waiting 10 years prior to entry. The complex was valued at nearly £5 million in 2005.
In 2001, £100,000 was donated by his trust to fund work at the Frank Parkinson Tissue Engineering Laboratory at Leeds University. In 2004 the trust donated £223,000 to Wharfedale hospital in order that it could purchase a new fluoroscopy suite. In addition, there are many other smaller donations made annually.
The Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust Deed dated 4 May 1943, has as its principal objective the improvement and welfare of British agriculture. The Trustees may, at their discretion, apply trust income or capital towards any one or more of the following objectives: a) the improvement and welfare of British agriculture, b) the undertaking of agricultural research or the provision of grants in aid of agricultural research, c) the establishment of scholarships, bursaries and exhibitions at any University, College or other technical institution or under any scheme of training in any branch of the agricultural industry, d) the granting of financial assistance in any form and under any conditions to enable young persons of ability who are in need of assistance and are working in the agricultural industry to improve their education and experience by working, training or otherwise, e) the establishment of convalescent homes, hospitals, hostels and social and welfare amenities of all kinds for work people in the agricultural industry, f) the encouragement and assistance of the social and cultural welfare of work people in the agricultural industry and g) the making of grants to any charity or organisation which is carrying on any work in connection with the provision of any of such benefits as aforesaid. The managers of this fund try to produce an income of £50,000 annually and helped to fund the new library at Harper Adams University College
.
There are two roads named after him: Frank Parkinson Court in Guiseley (the location of the alms houses) and Parkinson Drive in Chelmsford (the location of the former Crompton Parkinson factory). There is also a centre at Hartpury College
which bears his name.
University of Leeds
The University of Leeds is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England...
with the landmark tower (appearing on the university logo) named in his honour.
Life
The son of a stonemason, originally from GuiseleyGuiseley
Guiseley is a small town in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. Situated south of Otley and Menston, it is a suburb of north west Leeds. At the 2001 census, Guiseley together with Rawdon had a population of over 21,000. The A65, which passes through the town, is the...
, he began his studies in electrical engineering in 1908 at Leeds University. He first worked for local firm Rhodes Motors, before setting up F & A. Parkinson and Company in partnership with his brother Albert. The firm continued to grow making Frank 'Yorkshire's quietest millionaire'.
In 1927 he took over Crompton Lighting to form Crompton Parkinson
Crompton Parkinson
Crompton Parkinson was a British electrical manufacturing company formed in 1927 by the merger of Crompton & Co., and F & A. Parkinson Ltd.Crompton & Co. was a lamp manufacturer founded by Colonel Rookes Evelyn Bell Crompton in 1878 and had designed and installed electric lighting installations at...
. Crompton Lighting was one of the oldest lighting companies in the world, founded in 1878 by Colonel REB Crompton, a multi-talented entrepreneur who designed and installed some of the earliest recorded electric lighting installations at buildings such as Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
and Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The palace stands at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle...
. Established as an industry leader, Crompton Parkinson was taken over by the Hawker Siddeley aerospace group in 1968 and the Crompton range continued to be further diversified to incorporate cable, fuses, batteries and metering instruments in addition to lamps and luminaires. On 17 May 2002, the factory in his home town closed down.
After seeing plans for the new Leeds University buildings in 1936, Parkinson, by then one of West Yorkshire's most successful businessmen, offered to pay for the entrance hall and tower. The Parkinson Building
Parkinson Building
The Parkinson Building is a grade II listed art deco building and campanile located at the University of Leeds in the West Yorkshire region of England...
and Tower has been a major landmark in Leeds and a defining feature of the University since its opening on 9 November 1951.
He lived at Charters near Ascot, in an art deco home which has since been converted into flats. After Parkinson's death, the house was loaned to the Duke and Duchess of Windsor when they returned to England in 1947 and two years later it was bought by Sir Montague Burton
Montague Burton
Sir Montague Maurice Burton founded Burton, one of Great Britain's largest chains of clothes shops....
, boss of the Leeds tailoring empire. Since 1959 it has been owned by Vickers Research and the DeBeers diamond mining company.
There is a picture of him at the National Portrait Gallery
Legacy
The Frank Parkinson Scholarship was established in 1936 for students at Leeds University. In announcing his gift, he stated, “I have long cherished the ambition to do something to ensure that the kind of assistance which was extended to me as a student should be available to a larger number of Yorkshire students, especially those who might otherwise be unable to contemplate a University career, or who, in spite of proved ability, might be unable to carry on postgraduate research work through lack of means.” In 2009 it was available for full time post-graduate research and was worth £8000.Two trusts were set up following his death from the proceeds of his estate: the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust and the smaller Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust.
His Yorkshire Trust has the objectives of: a) the provision of relief and assistance in any form to old, sick and/or poor persons living in the County of Yorks, or of Yorkshire antecedents, and in particular, primarily but not exclusively living
in, or associated with, or having antecedents fron the Parish of Guiseley. b) the provision of hospital accommodation and/or convalescent home accommodation in the form of endowment of a bed or beds at any hospital or otherwise for the benefit of such persons as aforesaid. c) the provision or assistance in the provision of almshouses for old people in the said Parish of
Guiseley. d) the encouragement and assistance of Technical Education in the Electrical Industry generally. e) the establishment of Scholarships, Bursaries and Exhibitions at any University, Technical School or other Educational Institution in the United Kingdom or under any scheme of apprenticeships for training in any branch of the Electrical Industry. f) the granting offinancial assistance in any form and under any conditions to enable young persons of ability who are in need of such assistance and are working or intending to work in the Electrical Industry and whether such young persons shall be from the home country or abroad to improve their education and experience by working or training abroad, or in this country.
g) the establishment of convalescent homes, hospitals and clinics of all kinds for work people in the Electrical Industry. h) the provision of assistance in any form for persons engaged in the Electrical Industry, who may be unemployed and in necessitous circumstances. i) the making of grants to any charity which is carrying on any work in connection with the
provision of any such benefits as aforesaid.
The trust contributes towards a complex of 43 flats and bungalows offering sheltered accommodation in Guiseley. It has a long waiting list, with potential residents waiting 10 years prior to entry. The complex was valued at nearly £5 million in 2005.
In 2001, £100,000 was donated by his trust to fund work at the Frank Parkinson Tissue Engineering Laboratory at Leeds University. In 2004 the trust donated £223,000 to Wharfedale hospital in order that it could purchase a new fluoroscopy suite. In addition, there are many other smaller donations made annually.
The Frank Parkinson Agricultural Trust Deed dated 4 May 1943, has as its principal objective the improvement and welfare of British agriculture. The Trustees may, at their discretion, apply trust income or capital towards any one or more of the following objectives: a) the improvement and welfare of British agriculture, b) the undertaking of agricultural research or the provision of grants in aid of agricultural research, c) the establishment of scholarships, bursaries and exhibitions at any University, College or other technical institution or under any scheme of training in any branch of the agricultural industry, d) the granting of financial assistance in any form and under any conditions to enable young persons of ability who are in need of assistance and are working in the agricultural industry to improve their education and experience by working, training or otherwise, e) the establishment of convalescent homes, hospitals, hostels and social and welfare amenities of all kinds for work people in the agricultural industry, f) the encouragement and assistance of the social and cultural welfare of work people in the agricultural industry and g) the making of grants to any charity or organisation which is carrying on any work in connection with the provision of any of such benefits as aforesaid. The managers of this fund try to produce an income of £50,000 annually and helped to fund the new library at Harper Adams University College
Harper Adams University College
Harper Adams University College is a higher education institution located close to the village of Edgmond , in Shropshire, England. It is the UK's leading specialist provider of higher education for the agri-food chain and rural sector....
.
There are two roads named after him: Frank Parkinson Court in Guiseley (the location of the alms houses) and Parkinson Drive in Chelmsford (the location of the former Crompton Parkinson factory). There is also a centre at Hartpury College
Hartpury College
Hartpury College is a further education college and associate faculty of the University of the West of England situated in the village of Hartpury, Gloucestershire.-History:...
which bears his name.