Thomas Deane facts for kids
Sir Thomas Deane (born in Cork, 1792 – died in Dublin, 1871) was a famous Irish architect. He came from a family of architects. His son, Sir Thomas Newenham Deane, and his grandson, Sir Thomas Manly Deane, also became architects.
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Early Life and Family Business
Thomas Deane was born in Cork. He was the oldest son of Alexander Deane, who was a builder, and Elizabeth Sharpe. His grandparents and an uncle were also builders and architects. They even married into families who worked in the same professions.
When Thomas was 14, his father passed away in 1806. His mother, Elizabeth, was left to raise seven children. There was a problem with his father's will, which made it hard for his mother to get the properties he owned in Cork city. A special law was needed to help her gain control of these properties. Mrs. Deane bravely continued the family business, and Thomas started working there at a young age.
In 1811, when he was just 19, Thomas designed his first building. It was the Cork Commercial Buildings on South Mall. He won a competition against another architect to get this job.
Public Service and Achievements
Thomas Deane was a leader in developing arts and sciences in Cork. He worked for the Cork Corporation (the city's local government) for many years. He was chosen as the Mayor of Cork three times: in 1815, 1830, and 1851. He was made a knight in 1830, which means he received the title "Sir."
Even though he was a strong supporter of the Conservative Party, he supported a Catholic politician, Daniel Callaghan, in 1830. Later in his life, he grew tired of political arguments.
In 1820, he bought a large property called the Ummera Estate in County Cork. He also bought and fixed up a beautiful old house at Dundanion, near Blackrock.
Notable Buildings and Later Years
Sir Thomas Deane designed many important buildings in Cork. These include parts of the University College Cork campus. He also designed St Mary's Cathedral, Tuam, which was finished after he died in 1878.
In 1860, he moved to Dublin and bought a house in Monkstown. In 1866, he was chosen to be the President of the Royal Hibernian Academy, a famous art institution.
His Children
Sir Thomas Deane had two children from his first marriage: Julia and John Connellan Deane. Julia passed away in 1863.
His son, John, went to Midleton College in Cork and then to Trinity College, Dublin. John faced some money problems when he was young. He studied to become a lawyer. During the terrible Irish Famine, he worked as an inspector helping people in County Donegal and Galway. He also came up with the idea for a big art show called the Art Treasures Exhibition in Manchester in 1857. John died in Naples, Italy, in 1887.
Sir Thomas had three more children with his second wife, Eliza. These were Thomas Newenham, born in 1828, Susanna Adelaide (who was called Ada), born in 1837, and Olivia Louise, born in 1838.
