Thomas Atkinson (architect) facts for kids
Thomas Atkinson (1729–1798) was a talented English architect. He is most famous for redesigning Bishopthorpe Palace in a cool style called Gothic Revival. This style looked back to old medieval castles and churches.
The Life of Thomas Atkinson
Thomas Atkinson was born in York, England, in 1729. His father was a mason, which is someone who works with stone. Thomas learned a lot from his father. Later, he became an architect and set up his own business in York.
He even built his own house in York around 1780. You can still see it today at 20 St Andrewgate in the city center! Thomas Atkinson became one of the most important architects in Yorkshire during the late 1700s.
Thomas Atkinson became a Roman Catholic. Because of this, many Catholic families in Yorkshire asked him to design buildings for them. One of his special projects was designing a new chapel for the Bar Convent in York. He made sure the chapel's dome was hidden under a slate roof, so it couldn't be seen from outside.
He also built eight secret escape routes into the chapel! This was to make sure that if anyone tried to attack the building, people inside could get away safely. In 1776, he drew plans for a big new development in the city of Sheffield, but these plans were never built.
Famous Buildings by Thomas Atkinson
Here are some of the important buildings Thomas Atkinson worked on:
- Bishopthorpe Palace, York - He updated the front of the building and the gatehouse in the 1760s.
- Sutton Park, North Yorkshire - People believe Atkinson designed this grand house, which was finished in 1764.
- Old St Andrew's Church, Bishopthorpe - He worked on this church in 1768.
- Bar Convent, York - He built the chapel between 1765 and 1769. He also designed the main front of the building (1787-1789) and made other changes between 1778 and 1793.
- Carlton Towers, Selby - He added a long East Wing to this building in 1765.
- Houghton Hall, Sancton, North Yorkshire - He built this country house for Philip Langdale between 1765 and 1768.
- Dalton Hall (Beverley) - He built this hall for Sir Charles Hotham, 8th Baronet between 1771 and 1776.
- Terregles House, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland - He built this house in 1788 for W H Maxwell Constable.
