George Gordon Hoskins

Who was George Gordon Hoskins?

George Gordon Hoskins FRIBA, was an English architect responsible for the design of several public buildings in the North East of England. His works include many large and important buildings - mansions, banks, hotels, hospitals, libraries, and schools.

"Gee-Gee" Hoskins was the eldest son of Francis Hoskins, an army officer, and his wife Julia Hill and was born in Birmingham at the end of 1837. He was the grandson of Abraham Hoskins who built the folly of Bladon Castle at Newton Solney and was brother-in law to the brewer Michael Bass. Hoskins' godmother was the Duchess of Gordon.

Hoskins studied Architecture in London and Paris and was a pupil of W D Haskoll of Westminster. In 1864 he moved to Darlington, and his the first domestic commission that year was probably 15 and 16 Westbrook Villas. He became ARIBA on 3 June 1867, and was based at Russell Street Buildings from 1867 to 1870. On 2 May 1870, Hoskins became an FRIBA proposed by T Oliver, J P Pritchett and J Ross. He made useful contacts with Quaker families which led to many commissions including Quaker houses at Woodburn and Elm Ridge, for John Pease in 1867. Extended Quaker connections outside the town led to commissions at the Temperance Hall at Hurworth, and the Victoria Hall in Sunderland, which was largely funded by the Backhouse family. He gained the role of architect to the banking house of Backhouse after designing a manager's house added to the Backhouse Bank in 1867. Following this he designed branches in Sunderland, Bishop Auckland, Middlesbrough, Thirsk and Barnard Castle. His major work was the Middlesbrough Town Hall and Municipal Buildings won in open competition in 1882. Alfred Waterhouse, R.A. acted as assessor, and the Prince and Princess of Wales opened the building in 1889.