Description

Thomas Ambler was preeminently a Leeds architect though he built in Ireland and London too. He was educated at the Leeds School of Design, and was active in Liberal politics. He had an interest in workers’ housing, and tried his hand as a developer in Far Headingley. His most notable building is the Warehouse in Park Square

Ever short of bookspace, the Library commissioned R. D. Chantrell to build a staircase and gallery in the Main Room, and to advise on further galleries and the frontage. Later, Ambler designed the New Room and the Committee Room, creating a new entrance and changed facade. Ambler doesn’t seem to have got on too well with the Extension Sub-Committee, and Chorley, Cannon and Chorley became the resident architects, succeeded by Kitson and Partners. George Corson, JohnTweedale and Edward Birchall, all eminent Leeds architects, were on the House Sub-Committee.

Janet Douglas is a retired academic and researches extensively in local history and architecture in Leeds. She wrote four chapters in Building a Great Victorian City, edited by Christopher Webster, among numerous other achievements.

Both in-person and onlone (via Zoom) tickets are available:

In person: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-person-thomas-ambler-a-talk-by-janet-douglas-tickets-440347730917

Zoom: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/online-thomas-ambler-a-talk-by-janet-douglas-tickets-440360840127

Starts at 7pm. Library open from 6.30 for drinks. £7.