Thomas Newenham Deane facts for kids
Sir Thomas Newenham Deane (born 1828, died 8 November 1899) was an important Irish architect. He was the son of Sir Thomas Deane and Eliza Newenham. His own son, Sir Thomas Manly Deane, also became an architect. This means architecture was a family business for them!
Thomas Newenham Deane and his team designed many famous buildings. These include the National Library of Ireland, part of the National Gallery of Ireland, St Mary's Cathedral, Tuam, the Kildare Street Club, and several buildings at Trinity College Dublin.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Sir Thomas Newenham Deane was born on June 15, 1828, near Cork, Ireland. His father, Sir Thomas Deane, was already a well-known architect. Thomas was the oldest of three children, with two younger sisters. He also had a step-brother and step-sister from his father's first marriage.
As a child, Thomas was quite shy. He went to Rugby School in England. He loved sailing, just like his father. For a while, he even dreamed of joining the navy! However, his father wanted him to follow in his footsteps.
In 1846, Thomas returned to Ireland to study at Trinity College Dublin (TCD). He earned his degree in 1849. After college, he thought about becoming an artist. But his father encouraged him to join the family architecture business instead. In 1850, he officially joined his father's firm.
A Love for Art
Even though he became an architect, Thomas never stopped loving art. He especially enjoyed painting with watercolours. He believed that architecture could be even better if architects also studied fine arts. Later in his life, he became a regular artist at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin.
Amazing Architectural Career
.jpg)
In 1851, Thomas became a partner with another architect named Benjamin Woodward. They were known for their Gothic style buildings. This style was inspired by the ideas of John Ruskin, a famous art critic.
Some of their most famous projects include:
- The museum at Trinity College, Dublin.
- The Oxford University Museum of Natural History in England.
- The Pitt Rivers Museum, also in England.
- The Kildare Street Club in Dublin.
- Queen's College, Cork, which is now University College Cork.
Thomas was also a conservation architect. This means he worked to restore and protect old buildings. He helped restore St Mary's Cathedral, Tuam, making sure to keep its original 12th-century parts.
Protecting Old Buildings
After the Church of Ireland changed its structure, many old ruined buildings came under the care of the Irish Board of Works. Thomas was chosen as the first Inspector of National Monuments. This important job meant he helped look after and preserve historical sites. One of his projects was St Cronan's Church of Ireland in County Tipperary.
When his partner Benjamin Woodward passed away, many thought their firm might struggle. But Thomas continued his work, even partnering with his own son, Thomas Manly Deane. Together, they designed the National Museum of Ireland and the National Library of Ireland on Kildare Street in Dublin. For his great work, Thomas Newenham Deane was made a knight in 1890.
Personal Life
On January 29, 1850, Thomas Deane married Henrietta Manly. She was the daughter of Joseph H. Manly from County Cork. Thomas and Henrietta had several children together. Thomas Newenham Deane passed away suddenly in Dublin on November 8, 1899.
