James Murgatroyd

• Birth date    3 January 1830 at Ardwick, Manchester
• Death date    26 December 1894
• Burial        31 December 1894 at Manchester Southern Cemetery

The late James Murgatroyd [F.]. Mr. John Holden, President of the Manchester Society, sends the following obituary notice of Mr. Murgatroyd, compiled from information kindly supplied him by Mr A. W. Mills, formerly a Fellow of the Institute:

The late James Murgatroyd, architect and surveyor of Manchester, a member of perhaps the oldest firm of architects in that district, was born in Ardwick, Manchester, on the 3rd January 1830, and was consequently within a few days of being 65 years of age at the time of his death, which took place on the 26th ult. As a boy he was educated at the Chorlton High School, on leaving which he was sent to the Handels Schule, Leipzig, where he became a great favourite with the masters, particularly with the architectural master, as he at an early stage developed that taste for the profession which he afterwards followed so successfully. After leaving Leipzig he returned home and commenced his business career. He at once obtained a seat in the office of Mr. Alexander W. Mills, who was then a rising architect in Manchester, and to whom his parents were known, and a very close intimacy then commenced between master and pupil, which continued without intermission up to the day of his death. At the termination of his articles he, by the advice of his friend and master, Mr. Mills, travelled for a couple of years on the Continent. On his return he contemplated commencing practice on his own account, but ultimately joined his old master, and in 1853 the firm, originally "Alexander W. Mills," became "Mills and Murgatroyd," the partnership thus commenced terminating in 1881.

The business, which was established by Mr. Mills in 1838, had already at the date of the partnership attained considerable importance; and amongst other works in hand at that time was the extension of the Exchange Building in Manchester afterwards, by letters patent,  The “Royal Exchange” and in this work particularly he as a young man took a lively and active interest, as also in the subsequent works connected with the alteration and the reconstruction in or about the year 1860.   Many important works, were carried out by the firm, which very deservedly secured a considerable share of the work in and about Manchester.  The joint station of the London and North Western and the Manchester, Sheffield, and London Railways at London Road was perhaps one of the most important buildings erected by it; also the extensive buildings belonging to the Poor Law Guardians of the township of Manchester. The Manchester Grammar School, with its very complete Gymnasium; the High School for Girls, and the large building erected originally for a warehouse, and now known as the Grand Hotel; the Manchester and County Bank, and most of its branches in the surrounding towns, were also erected by the firm. Personally, the two partners seemed made for each other; at no time during their business relations was there any difference between them, and the partnership was determined in 1881 simply by the elder, as it were, putting on his hat and leaving the office to the younger partner, a very rare occurrence, but one particularly showing the strong affection and confidence which existed between the partners.

Murgatroyd's Continental education and travels gave him considerable advantages, as he could converse fluently in German and French, and almost as well in Italian. His knowledge of mathematics was considerable. He was always greatly interested in educational matters connected with the profession, and was for many years actively engaged in the management of the School of Art and the Technical Schools, and was one of the committee appointed by the Corporation to visit the Continent for the purpose of collecting information preparatory to arranging for the building of the extensive technical schools which will shortly be commenced in Manchester.

For many years past Murgatroyd was largely engaged in valuing properties, more particularly in connection with the city improvements. He acted as umpire or arbitrator in a considerable number of disputed cases, in which his clearness of judgment was invaluable.  He was a Fellow of the Institute, having been elected in 1877, and one of the founders in 1865 of the Manchester Society of Architects of which body he was twice President - and he may be said to have been one of its mainstays. His circle of business friends was very large. He was well known for his strict integrity and was I may say trusted by everyone with whom he came in contact. [RIBA Journal 1895 Page 146-147]

President of MSA 1873-5 and 1887. Elected FRIBA on 8 January 1877

Residence
1861    James Murgatroyd 70, Park View, Plymouth Grove
1871    1, Newport Place, Great Cheetham Street, Higher Broughton
1894    “Warley,” Barlow Moor Road, Didsbury

Obituary    RIBA Journal 1895 Page 146-147
Obituary    Manchester Guardian 27 December 1894 Page 8
Obituary    Manchester City News 29 December 1894  Deaths  plus obituary Page 3