Leonard Cecil Howitt
Leonard Cecil Howitt Mersey Tunnel, Free Trade Hall |
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Leonard Cecil Howitt (27 December 1896 – 20 May 1964) – often referred to as L. C. Howitt – served in both World Wars and was Manchester City Council's chief architect from 1946 until he retired in 1961.
Life
Leonard Howitt was born on 27 December 1896 in
Brooklands, Sale on 20 May 1964 aged 67. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a son.[1]
Career
Howitt started work in the architect's office at
Mersey Tunnel (Queensway) ventilation towers. He was appointed chief architectural assistant to Liverpool City Council's Director of Housing before returning to Manchester as deputy city architect in 1937. Howitt served in the army during World War II, rising to the rank of major.[1]
Hollings College
In 1945, Howitt returned to Manchester as acting city architect. The following year he was appointed
G. Noel Hill, a position he held until he retired in 1961. He designed many schools, colleges and other buildings for the corporation and was responsible for reconstructing the Free Trade Hall after it was damaged in the Manchester Blitz. He designed the Courts of Justice (1957–1962) and Hollings College (1957–1960), known locally as the Toast Rack. Other than schools, few buildings erected during Howitt's tenure as city architect survive. His Terminal Building at Manchester Airport was remodelled by his successor, Sidney George Besant-Roberts. Other surviving buildings are Hollings College, Heaton Park Reservoir Pumping Station (1955), Wythenshawe Fire Station (1957), Blackley Crematorium (1959),[2] Wythenshawe Bowls and Tennis Pavilion (1960)[3] and the Manchester Courts of Justice.[4] After retiring from the corporation in 1961 he entered private practice in Manchester in partnership with Leonard J Tucker.[1]
Howitt became a
Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in March 1942, served on its council for twelve years and was its vice-president from 1956 to 1958. He was president of the Manchester Society of Architects from 1955 until 1957 and served on other professional bodies.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d "Leonard Cecil Howitt". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- Twentieth Century Society. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ Historic England. "Wythenshawe Park Bowls and Tennis Pavilion (1410459)". Research records (formerly PastScape). Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- Twentieth Century Society. Retrieved 19 April 2017.