Thomas Warr Attwood facts for kids
Thomas Warr Attwood (born around 1733 – died 15 November 1775) was an English builder and architect from Bath. He also worked as a local politician in the city.
Attwood's Life and Work
Thomas Warr Attwood came from an important family in Bath. He became a member of the city's Council in 1760. Even though he didn't have an official job title, he often acted as the city's surveyor and architect. A surveyor measures land and buildings, and an architect designs them.
Attwood used his position to get jobs and building permits on land owned by the city. In 1769, he was the Mayor of Bath. During this time, the Council agreed to his idea to build a new prison, called a gaol. This plan caused some arguments in the city.
Even though he was a plumber by trade, his political connections helped him get many important jobs. He was often chosen as the architect, surveyor, and city planner for big projects in Bath. This included the new gaol, which he designed and built between 1772 and 1774.
It is believed that his assistants did most of the actual design work for his projects. However, Attwood received the credit, the payment, and future jobs. This was at a time when Bath had some of the best architects in the country.
How Attwood Died
Thomas Warr Attwood died in 1775. He was killed when an old, empty building collapsed. He was inspecting the building, which was on the site where a new city hall, called the Guildhall, was planned.
After his death, his assistant, Thomas Baldwin, was chosen to be the new City Architect and City Surveyor.
Attwood's monument is in the churchyard at Weston. It is south of the church of All Saints, Weston. Thomas Baldwin designed this monument. It has special cast-iron railings from the 1700s.
Buildings Attwood Was Involved With
Here are some of the buildings Thomas Warr Attwood was involved with:
- Paragon Crescent (1768)
- Oxford Row (1773)
- The New Gaol, Bathwick (1772-1773)
- Guildhall (Attwood's name was on the first designs for the Guildhall. However, like his other projects, his assistant Thomas Baldwin and others did the actual work. When Attwood died, Baldwin became the architect for the Guildhall. The design did not change much, showing it was likely Baldwin's work all along.)
