Fred Rowntree
Encyclopedia
Fred Rowntree a Scottish Arts and Crafts
architect, was the son of John Rowntree, a master grocer and Ann Webster. His brother, John Rowntree, traded in tea and coffee. The Rowntree family were Quakers and related to Rowntree's
, the well-known confectioners.
Fred was a scholar at Bootham School
in York
, and was articled to Charles Augustus Bury of Scarborough from 1876 to 1880.
He became an assistant to Edward Burgess in London and was appointed a clerk of works in Leicestershire
, ending in 1885 when joined Charles Edeson of Scarborough, the company name changing to Edeson & Rowntree. On 6 October 1886 Rowntree married Mary Anna Gray (10 June 1862 - 19 July 1933), a daughter of William Gray of the biscuit manufacturers Gray, Dunn & Company, who were also Quakers. They raised a family of 5 children.
He located to London in 1890, and also entered into partnership with Malcolm Stark in Glasgow
. The partnership of Stark & Rowntree dissolved in 1900, partly as a result of failing to win contracts in national competitions - the Govan District Asylum being their only significant award. Stark had consequently succumbed to alcoholism and Rowntree relocated his practice to Hammersmith
.
Fred Rowntree drew his sons into his business, and was invited to tender and submit plans for the building of West China Union University in Chengtu in Sichuan Province in China. The bid of Fred Rowntree & Sons of London was successful and the the firm was appointed architect to the University.
West China Union University had started in 1910 as a collaboration between the American Mutual Foreign Mission Society, the Friends' Foreign Mission Association of Great Britain and Ireland, the General Board of Missions of the Methodist Church of Canada
, (later the United Church of Canada
) and the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church
, USA. After a 2-year hiatus due to political unrest, the University
started lectures in 1913 and initiated a program of constructing more than twenty buildings. These plans were particularly ambitious in view of the lengthy travel time from London to Chengtu.
The Rowntrees had connections in Glasgow through the Henderson family. Helen Henderson had, as her second husband, married the painter Edward Arthur Walton
and through them Rowntree became acquainted with George Henry Walton
, with whom he had a successful working relationship in the 1890s.
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
architect, was the son of John Rowntree, a master grocer and Ann Webster. His brother, John Rowntree, traded in tea and coffee. The Rowntree family were Quakers and related to Rowntree's
Rowntree's
Rowntree's was a confectionery business based in York, England. It is now a historic brand owned by Nestlé, used to market a range of fruit gums and pastilles formerly owned by Rowntree's. Following a merger with John Mackintosh & Co., the Company became known as Rowntree Mackintosh, was listed on...
, the well-known confectioners.
Fred was a scholar at Bootham School
Bootham School
Bootham School is an independent Quaker boarding school in the city of York in North Yorkshire, England. It was founded by the Religious Society of Friends in 1823. It is close to York Minster. The current headmaster is Jonathan Taylor. The school's motto Membra Sumus Corporis Magni means "We...
in York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
, and was articled to Charles Augustus Bury of Scarborough from 1876 to 1880.
He became an assistant to Edward Burgess in London and was appointed a clerk of works in Leicestershire
Leicestershire
Leicestershire is a landlocked county in the English Midlands. It takes its name from the heavily populated City of Leicester, traditionally its administrative centre, although the City of Leicester unitary authority is today administered separately from the rest of Leicestershire...
, ending in 1885 when joined Charles Edeson of Scarborough, the company name changing to Edeson & Rowntree. On 6 October 1886 Rowntree married Mary Anna Gray (10 June 1862 - 19 July 1933), a daughter of William Gray of the biscuit manufacturers Gray, Dunn & Company, who were also Quakers. They raised a family of 5 children.
He located to London in 1890, and also entered into partnership with Malcolm Stark in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. The partnership of Stark & Rowntree dissolved in 1900, partly as a result of failing to win contracts in national competitions - the Govan District Asylum being their only significant award. Stark had consequently succumbed to alcoholism and Rowntree relocated his practice to Hammersmith
Hammersmith
Hammersmith is an urban centre in the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London, England, in the United Kingdom, approximately five miles west of Charing Cross on the north bank of the River Thames...
.
Fred Rowntree drew his sons into his business, and was invited to tender and submit plans for the building of West China Union University in Chengtu in Sichuan Province in China. The bid of Fred Rowntree & Sons of London was successful and the the firm was appointed architect to the University.
West China Union University had started in 1910 as a collaboration between the American Mutual Foreign Mission Society, the Friends' Foreign Mission Association of Great Britain and Ireland, the General Board of Missions of the Methodist Church of Canada
Methodist Church of Canada
The Methodist Church of Canada was a united church formed in 1884 and comprising most former Methodist denominations in Canada including some that had been active along Canada's eastern coast and north of the St...
, (later the United Church of Canada
United Church of Canada
The United Church of Canada is a Protestant Christian denomination in Canada. It is the largest Protestant church and, after the Roman Catholic Church, the second-largest Christian church in Canada...
) and the Board of Foreign Missions of the Methodist Episcopal Church
Methodist Episcopal Church
The Methodist Episcopal Church, sometimes referred to as the M.E. Church, was a development of the first expression of Methodism in the United States. It officially began at the Baltimore Christmas Conference in 1784, with Francis Asbury and Thomas Coke as the first bishops. Through a series of...
, USA. After a 2-year hiatus due to political unrest, the University
started lectures in 1913 and initiated a program of constructing more than twenty buildings. These plans were particularly ambitious in view of the lengthy travel time from London to Chengtu.
The Rowntrees had connections in Glasgow through the Henderson family. Helen Henderson had, as her second husband, married the painter Edward Arthur Walton
Edward Arthur Walton
Edward Arthur Walton was a Scottish painter of landscapes and portraits. Edward was one of twelve children of Jackson Walton, a Manchester commission agent and a competent painter and photographer...
and through them Rowntree became acquainted with George Henry Walton
George Henry Walton
George Henry Walton , was a noted Scottish architect and designer of remarkable diversity. George was the youngest of twelve talented children of Jackson Walton, a Manchester commission agent and himself an accomplished painter and photographer, by his second wife, the Aberdeen-born Quaker Eliza...
, with whom he had a successful working relationship in the 1890s.