Charles Watson (1771-1836), ‘Yorkshire’s leading architect’ and his work in Leeds

In this illustrated talk, Christopher Webster reveals why Watson, once regarded as Yorkshire’s leading architect, deserves to be far better known today.

It was Howard Colvin, probably the country’s most important writer on the British architects of this period, who published the praise for Watson, quoted in the title. Another eminent writer assessed him as having ‘almost a monopoly of architectural work in Yorkshire’. He did, indeed, produce a succession of fine buildings including mansions, public buildings, churches and chapels. In Leeds, his commissions included two outstanding chapels, designs for Lotherton Hall and Parlington Hall, and some important, large-scale, housing schemes. At least one of the detached villas in what is now the University campus can be confidently attributed to him. And some of his designs are of national importance.

Why is he not better known? Watson was quiet and kept out of the limelight. For many years, he had as a partner J.P. Pritchett, a surveyor, who increasingly became the ‘public face’ of the practice. Several writers over the past 75 years have, without any convincing evidence, sought to promote Pritchett’s role in the practice to the extent that Watson has been almost air-brushed from history. The forthcoming book on Watson will re-establish him in his rightful place as the county’s principal architect. It is a remarkable story and a cautionary tale for would-be historians!