Robert James Rick Beswick – architect and surveyor

Uncategorized 1 Minute
Clifton Street with Beswick’s Primitive Methodist chapel on the edge of the photo to the right. Published courtesy of Swindon Museum and Art Gallery

Robert J.R. Beswick was born in Manchester on November 30, 1856 the son of Robert, a Spirits Merchant, and his wife Anne. Robert was christened on January 4, 1857 in Manchester Cathedral.

Robert had moved to Swindon by the mid 1870s when he was articled to another popular local architect W.H. Read and was in practice from about 1874. In 1884 he married Emilie Matilda Elliott, the daughter of John Elliott, a painter in the works.

During a prolific career he designed many landmark buildings in Swindon including the Mechanics Institute Reading Room at 158-9 Rodbourne Road. He also designed the Primitive Methodist Chapel which stood at the Clifton Street entrance to the cemetery, long since demolished and replaced by a modern property. He designed the Co-op premises in East Street and John Street and the Palace Cinema in Gorse Hill.

In 1911 Beswick, by then widowed, was living at a property in Westlecott Road called Kingswood, a house he designed himself. He lived there with his architect son Robert Frederick Beswick (the son who later died in India) and the two men were looked after by housekeeper Gertrude Woodward and a general domestic servant Alice Brinkworth.

Beswick died at the Cheriton Nursing Home on March 28, 1931. He left administration of his will to his only surviving son Alfred Edward Beswick, another architect. His effects were valued at £6,129 4s 3d.

Unknown's avatar

Published by Radnor Street Cemetery

I am a local historian and writer researching the history of Radnor Street Cemetery in Swindon. I have written three books - Struggle and Suffrage in Swindon: Women's Lives and the Fight for Equality published by Pen and Sword and The Ladies of Lydiard and West Swindon - What the eye doesn't see written in collaboration with Angela Atkinson and Roger Ogle both published by Hobnob Press.

Published

5 thoughts on “Robert James Rick Beswick – architect and surveyor”

  2. Hello, I am volunteering at Swindon Museum and Art gallery where there is a project for us to unwrap and record art that they hold. One of the images I unwrapped was Victoria Hospital in Old Town. The label said it was designed by Beswick.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Good evening – thank you so much for getting in touch. I have written about Robert James Rick Beswick (see https://radnorstreetcemetery.blog/2022/08/16/robert-james-rick-beswick-architect-and-surveyor/) who was articled to W.H. Read, which maybe how his name came to be on the image you mention. The Victoria Hospital was designed by W.H. Read. Two lengthy articles in both The Devizes & Wiltshire Gazette published Thursday October 4, 1888 and the Swindon Advertiser published Saturday, October 6, 1888 detail the opening of the Victoria Hospital. The first includes the following comment: “The plans were prepared by Mr W.H. Read, the well known architect of Swindon.” The second reads “Mr. W.H. Read, of Swindon, was the successful architect whose plans were adopted.” There are also two drawings on the Local Studies flickr website flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/36571449423 and flickr.com/photos/swindonlocal/26870036567 naming W.H. Read as the architect. Do please get in touch again if there is anything else I can help you with.

      Like

      Reply

      1. Thank you. I have this image I took from the art. It says its by Beswick but maybe never built. Philip

        Like

Leave a comment