James William Beaumont

• Born:     25 June 1848 at Manchester
• Died:     Died 1 August 1931 aged 84 at his home at Fulwood, Wilmslow.
• Buried   Wilmslow Parish Church.

James William Beaumont, the son of John Beaumont of Manchester and Wilmslow, was born in Manchester on 25 June 1848. Educated privately, he was articled to Sir James Allanson Picton of Liverpool from 1865 to 1869 and was assistant to Corson & Aitken of Manchester from 1870 to 1871.  In 1873 he commenced independent practice in Manchester, later being in partnership with A H Davies Colley from c1875 1878 and with Richard F Beaumont (his brother) between c1886 and 1894. In 1900 he took his eldest son, William Somerville Beaumont, into partnership as J W Beaumont & Son and likewise his youngest son John Somerville Beaumont, in 1919.  He formally retired from the partnership on 31 December 1930.

A Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, he was also a Fellow of the Manchester Society of Architects and its President from 1903-1905. His principal works before 1900 included the Town Hall, Public Baths and Cemetery at Hyde, Town Hall at Colne, memorial building at Stockport, Liberal Club at Stockport, Free Public Libraries at Openshaw and Gorton, hydraulic power pumping station at Ancoats, institute and swimming baths and cottage hospital, Darley Dale, Art Galleries in Whitworth Park, Manchester, physical laboratory, Owens College, and Ducie Avenue Schools, Manchester.

James William Beaumont married Emily Prentice, a daughter of Dr Thomas Somerville of Hawthorn Hall (School) Wilmslow. and had issue five sons and three daughters. His eldest and youngest sons joined their father in his architectural practice. Their second son Godfrey S Beaumont became a farmer while their third son, Thomas S Beaumont, a chartered accountant, was killed in action in the First World War. Nothing further is yet known of Robert S Beaumont who resided with his parents in 1911. Emily Prentice Beaumont died on 10th December 1935 at “Baronald,” Wilmslow.

James William Beaumont died on 1 August 1931 and was buried at Wilmslow parish church.