Thomas Jackson (architect)
| Thomas Jackson | |
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| Born | 1807 Waterford, Ireland |
| Died | 1890 |
| Nationality | Irish |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Practice | Thomas Jackson & Sons |
| Buildings | Belfast Hospital for Sick Children |
Thomas Jackson (1807–1890) was one of the important 19th century architects who contributed to the iconic baroque look of Belfast city. He was described as being the foremost Belfast architect of his day.
Thomas was born in the city of Waterford, Ireland in 1807. His parents were Anthony Jackson and Elizabeth Pim, both practicing Quakers. In fact, Thomas's great-great-great Grandfather was in attendance during the very first Irish Quaker meeting of 1654. Thomas would later contribute to the local Quaker movement by designing many of the Friends meeting houses in Northern Ireland.
He married Lydia Newsom Ridgeway, another member of the Waterford Quaker community, on New Year's Day 1835. Together they produced two children; Anthony Thomas Jackson and William Ridgeway Jackson.
Thomas served his early apprenticeship with George Dymond of Bristol. In 1829 he moved to Ulster to work in partnership with Thomas Duff of Newry. He was in charge of Duff's newly established Belfast branch office. He kept this role until 1835 before striking out on his own. Thomas's most recognised work from this period was the Old Museum building for the Belfast Natural History and Philosophical Socitety, of which he was an Honorary member.
Around 1867 Thomas's sons joined him, operating under the name Thomas Jackson & Sons. Anthony left to pursue his own interests circa 1870. William stayed on for roughly another ten years before emigrating to Australia. Thomas produced very little architectural work in the years following Williams departure.
He was fundamentally a residential architect, but over the course of his career he turned his hand to commercial, educational, industrial and ecclesiastical buildings. An example of his domestic work would be the ambitious Cliftonville development. He was the principal architect of Ulster Bank and of the Banbridge, Lisburn & Belfast Junction Railway.
Thomas was personally credited with 114 designs in total. The following are good examples of work by Thomas and his sons;
Scottish Amicable building, Belfast
Detailing from the Corn Exchange, Belfast
Former Frederick Street Quaker Meeting House, Belfast
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