James Lomax Simpson

• Born : 1882
• Married : 1924 Isabel Mary Messenger or “Molly.”
• Died : 16 June 1977
• Funeral : Friday 24 June 1977 at  Putney Vale Cemetery

James Lomax‑Simpson was born in 1882, the only son of Jonathan Simpson, architect of Bolton, his godfather being William Hesketh Lever, later Lord Leverhulme. Educated at Uppingham School, he trained at Liverpool University and under Grayson & Ould, while also assisting in his father's practice. In 1905, after refusing the offer of a junior partnership with Grayson and Ould, he set up his own office in Liverpool, (though maintaining a close business relationship with his father) employing B T Austin, (1873 – 1955), from Greyson and Ould’s office as chief assistant. Work at this stage included model workers' housing at Ellesmere Port for Edward Peter Jones of the Wolverhampton Corrugated Iron Company who, like Lever, had relocated his factory to the Mersey. Other commissions included a bandstand and cottages at Port Sunlight and St George's church at Thomton Hough, Cheshire.

In 1910 he was appointed to take charge of the Architectural Department of Lever Brothers and was made a director in 1917. As Company Architect he undertook work in over twenty‑five different countries and was responsible for most of the development of Port Sunlight from 1910 onwards. He also carried out much work for Lever himself, including alterations and additions to Thomton Manor, The Hill at Hampstead and Lewis Castle, Stornoway. Possibly his most important work was Unilever House, London, with executive architects, Bumet, Tait and Partners, opened by the Lord Mayor of London in July 1932.  James Lomax‑Simpson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in June 1943. He was made a Trustee of the Leverhulme Trust and served as a Trustee of the Lady Lever Art Gallery, Port Sunlight. He was also on the Board of the Royal Free Hospital.

In 1924 he married Isabel Mary Messenger or “Molly.” Born in Orange, New South Wales, Australia, Mrs Lomax‑Simpson came to England as a young woman and died 1967.

James Lomax-Simpson died at home on 16 June 1977 in his 96^th year after a short illness. He was survived by his two daughters, Josephine and Rosemary.

Death Notice : Times Monday 20 June 1977 p28 Col B births marriages and deaths
Obituary : Times Wednesday 22 June 1977 p19 Col G