Liverpool Hidden History

Secret Pasts of Everyday Places

  • Home
  • About
  • Walking Tours
  • Shop
  • Get In Touch

JOHN WEIGHTMAN – LIVERPOOL’S GRAND ARCHITECT

October 28, 2016 By Steven Horton

Some of Liverpool’s finest municipal buildings were designed by Corporation architect John Weightman, who doesn’t even have a wikipedia page and whose grave is a sorry state in Toxteth Park cemetery.

Born in London in 1798, John Weightman came to Liverpool at the age of 26 to take up a position as a draughtsman for the Borough Surveyor John Foster. He rose through the ranks to become chief draughtsman in 1831, but a couple of years later left the corporation to work on the Grand Junction Railway, connecting Liverpool with Birmingham.

central library

In January 1848 Weightman returned to Liverpool and took on the post of Borough Surveyor, succeeding Joseph Franklin who himself had taken over from John Foster. Weightman was appointed on a salary of £1,000 per year (£107,000 in today’s money), £300 more than his predecessor and this caused considerable debate when the Finance Committee met to approve his appointment. However the argument that he possessed considerable local knowledge and there was no more suitable candidate for the position won the day. Weightman took the post on condition he relinquished all his private interests and it was noted by the Liverpool Mail that he stood to lose up to £2,000 per year.

One of Weightman’s first tasks in his new role was to oversee the building of St George’s Hall, the foundation stone of which had been laid back in 1838. The architect Harvey Lonsdale Elmes had died the previous November of Tuborcolosis but Weightman found this too time consuming and allowed Charles Cockerell, a friend of Elmes who had guided him with the design, to take over the project.

Although hejohn weightman home 39 Hope St had taken a step backwards when it came to St George’s Hall, John Weightman would go on to have a great impact on Liverpool’s architecture. The town’s corporate estate grew rapidly during Weightman’s time as borough surveyor, thanks in part to his intellect, decisive character and technical ability.

In the late 1850s Weightman designed a major project off Dale Street, incorporating a new fire station, bridewell and police station, as well as magistrate’s courts. The bridewell consisted of ninety cells and allowed the police to deal with the increasing volume of crime in the growing town. It still stands today and is Grade II listed, described by English Heritage as one of the best examples of a 1850s penal building.

Arguably WeigJohn Weightman Grave Toxteth Cemeteryhtman’s greatest legacy was the design of what we now know as Central Library and the World Museum, on which he worked alongside Scottish architect George Audsley. The Free Public Library opened in October 1860, with Weightman a guest of honour and riding in the Mayor’s chariot. The following year the William Brown Museum opened, initially displaying the natural history collection of the Earl of Derby who had bequeathed it to the town.

Weightman’s last major work before retiring in 1865 was to design Municipal Buildings although his successor Mr Robson made some modifications during the building process. On his retirement, the Finance Committee expressed regret at Weightman’s leaving and expressed a wish for him to be employed as a consultant if the need arose.

After retiring from his role Weightman remained with the Corporation, being elected as an Alderman and he also served as a Justice of the Peace. In his latter years Weightman’s health declined and the death of his wife in May 1883 hit him hard. He died three months later on 5th August 1883 at his home, 39 Hope Street. Flags on Corporation buildings were flown at half mast as a sign of respect and his funeral took place five days later at Toxteth Park cemetery alongside his wife. Today however his grave is in a sorry state, the headstone having been laid flat for safety reasons.

 

 

 

 

 

Please share:

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Reddit
  • Tumblr
  • Pinterest
  • Pocket
  • Print

You may like to read these related posts too:

Default ThumbnailTHE ARCHITECT WHO HATED HIS WORKPLACE Default ThumbnailMUNICIPAL DAMAGE Default ThumbnailBLUE COAT MYSTERY SOLVED Default ThumbnailSIGNS OF THINGS TO COME AT FIRST GRAND NATIONAL

Filed Under: Uncategorized

About Steven Horton

I am a local history author and tour guide based the Liverpool region, specialising in bespoke tours tailor made to suit the individual or group. Whether it be football, Victorian murders or Liverpool sites connected to the US Civil War, I can arrange something that will suit the customers needs, not go where I want to take people.
I have published seventeen books, all of which are available via the shop page. As well as writing for the Liverpool Echo and Times, I have made guest appearances on local radio and TV. Local history is a real passion of mine, if you enjoy my site please feel free to share through facebook, twitter etc and maybe leave a comment.

Comments

  1. Patrick Kavanagh says

    November 1, 2016 at 4:04 pm

    Fascinating reading and a wonderful time line of Liverpool’s architectural history and the people who were instrumental in it’s design and construction.

    Thanks for sharing it with us, I look forward to reading more from you.

    Patrick A Kavanagh

    • Steven Horton says

      November 3, 2016 at 12:00 am

      Thanks Patrick

  2. John says

    January 14, 2017 at 11:38 am

    It’s just a hope but has anyone any more information about John Weightman ? I’m trying to research some history of his life . Thanks for reading.

ABOUT

Steven Horton has been a freelance writer for 20+ years. He is the author of 7 books has written for the Times, Liverpool Echo, numerous fanzines and websites, and also appeared on Radio Merseyside/City Talk, ITV News and Sky Sports News. ..read more

Subscribe to our mailing list for news and offers

FOLLOW ME

  • Facebook
  • Flickr
  • Google+
  • Twitter

Tags

Blue Coat School Broadgreen Castle Street children Childwall cholera City Centre Cricket crime Dale Street derelict Dingle Edge Hill fire Football George's Landing Stage Ireland Lime Street Liverpool & Manchester Railway Liverpool city council Liverpool Corporation Liverpool Mercury Liverpool Town Hall plaques Prescot pubs Queen Victoria Religion Renshaw Street River Mersey Royalty Sefton Park Station Statue St James Cemetery suicide Theatre Three Graces Toxteth Toxteth Park Cemetery transportation University of Liverpool Waterfront Wavertree William Brown Street

Past Posts

RSS Stevens Other Local History site – Liverpool Murders

  • Backside Kick Means Lenient Sentence
  • New Born Baby in an Ashpit
  • Doctor Guilty of Manslaughter
  • Friday 13th Boarding House Drama
  • A Warning to Drunkards
PayPal Acceptance Mark

Recent Comments

  • Steven Horton on About
  • Norma Jones on About
  • Margaret Mills on The Tragedy of T J Hughes
  • Jay C on The Tragedy of T J Hughes
  • Steven Horton on FANNY CALDER – DOMESTIC SCIENCE PIONEER
  • Website Shop Terms and Conditions
  • Cookie Policy
  • Shop

Copyright © 2022 · Beautiful Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

This site uses cookies More info