Joan Howson

Joan Howson
Stained Glass Window in Pettaugh Suffolk by Caroline Townshend and Joan Howson
Nationality	English
Known for	Stained Glass

Joan Howson (1885–1964) was a British stained glass artist of the Arts and Crafts movement. She trained at the Liverpool School of Art before becoming a student and apprentice to Caroline Townshend. They later developed a lifelong partnership creating stained glass works under the name of their company, Townshend and Howson.

Howson was born 9 May 1885 in Flintshire to Ethel and George John Howson, MA. George Howson attended Trinity College at Cambridge and was an Archdeacon. Ethel's father was the Archdeacon Dealtry and Vicar of Maidstone. Joan Howson had four older brothers, one of who died as a baby.

She was involved in the woman's suffragette movement and socialism.

Howson trained at the Liverpool School of Art from 1909 to 1912. She also studied music in Paris.

After completing her training at Liverpool School of Art, Howson met Caroline Townshend at The Glass House studios in London. Howson became a student and apprentice to Townshend in 1912.

In 1920 they began their partnership, Townshend & Howson under which they obtained commissions. They signed their works joining both of their initials. Then they moved to Putney where they had converted a house to serve as a studio and workshop, and were neighbours to Edward Woore and other stained glass artists.

Howson's partner, Caroline Townshend died in 1944. Howson returned to Putney and resumed her work there, often restoring medieval glass. She maintained both her late partner's initials and name in the company business. Two of her key commissions were for Oxford University with the Department of Medieval Art and a commission for the Church of St Mary Magdalane in Newark-on-Trent restoring stained glass from the 14th century.