George Henry Male Addison facts for kids
George Henry Male Addison (born 1857, died 1922) was an important Australian architect and artist. Many of the buildings he designed are now considered heritage-listed. This means they are old and special, so they are protected.
Early Life and Moving to Australia
Addison was born on March 23, 1857, in Llanelly, Wales. His father was a minister who sadly passed away when George was young. George was then raised by his grandfather in Somerset, England.
He learned to be an architect by training with Edmund Isles Hubbard in England. He also studied art at the Royal Academy of Arts in London.
Later, Addison moved to South Australia to work on big government building projects. After that, he went to Melbourne. There, he joined a company and helped start the Melbourne Art Society. He worked with famous Australian artists like John Mather and Tom Roberts.
In 1884, he married Emily Alice Maude. They had four children together:
- Lily Isabel Maude Addison (1885–1968)
- Edward James Addison (1887–1956)
- George Frederick Addison (1889–1985)
- Edith May Addison (1892–?)
In 1889, Addison moved to Brisbane. He came to design the London Chartered Bank of Australia building. This building was at the corner of Queen and Creek Streets. He really liked the weather in Brisbane and decided to stay.
He started his own architecture business. Later, his son George joined him. His daughter Lily also worked in his firm. She became one of the first women to work as an architect in Australia!
Famous Buildings and Designs
George Henry Male Addison designed many important buildings. Here are some of his works:
- The Albert Street Uniting Church in Brisbane, built in 1888-89.
- Cliveden Mansions, a large house built in 1888 in Spring Hill.
- The villa Kirkston, another grand house built in 1888–89 in Windsor.
- Big additions to Stanley Hall in Clayfield, made in 1889.
- The Mansions, a well-known building at 40 George Street, Brisbane, built in 1889.
- Fernbrook, his own home in Indooroopilly, built around 1889. This house was later taken down.
- The villa Cumbooquepa, built in 1890 in South Brisbane. It is now part of Somerville House School.
- The Old Museum Building, Brisbane, which was an exhibition hall and concert venue, built in 1891.
- A religious building at All Hallows' School in Fortitude Valley, built in 1915.
- Buildings at the Eagle Farm Racecourse, including ticket offices, built around 1913-1914.
- St Columba's Church in Wilston, built in 1915.
- St Benedict's Catholic Church in East Brisbane, built in 1917.
- Sacred Heart Church in Rosalie, built in 1918.
- Blessed Oliver Plunkett Catholic Church in Cannon Hill, built in 1921.
For some years, he worked with Leslie Corrie in a partnership called Addison and Corrie. Together, they designed many other famous Brisbane buildings, including:
- Trustees Chambers, a heritage-listed bank building on Queen Street, Brisbane, built around 1900.
Later Life
George Henry Male Addison was also the chairman of the Brisbane Art Gallery. He helped guide the gallery's work.
He passed away on February 6, 1922, at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital, Brisbane. He was buried at the Toowong Cemetery.
