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Old 19-02-2012, 21:37   #14
garinda
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Re: Bank House, site of

Just found this, whilst researching an artist, re: Sir Thomas Higham.


'Sir Thomas Edward Higham, J.P. (1867-1947) was the third son of Eli Higham, and was educated at Haywood's Academy, Accrington, and Silcoates School. He joined the family firm in 1882, taking over the business in 1896, on the death of his father. They owned a merchanting business in Manchester, as well as spinning, bleaching, finishing and making-up at the Victoria Mill. Sir Thomas had one of the most prolific careers in public service in Accrington: elected Town Councillor 1901, Mayor in 1906-1907 and the Jubilee year 1927-1928, County Councillor in 1905, and Alderman in 1908. He served as chairman of the Electricity Committee, was appointed High Sheriff of Lancashire in 1945, and knighted the following year. He became the first Freeman of Accrington in 1928.

As to art, he was obviously a generous benefactor. Beyond that, however, he was one of the principal driving forces in developing the cultural environment in the region. It was Sir Thomas who arranged the Loan Exhibition at the Carnegie Library in 1908, which provided the seed for what would become the Library Collection, later to be transferred to the Haworth Gallery in 1921. It is notable that most of the important donors in Accrington and Blackburn loaned paintings to the exhibition, including William Haworth, who would bequeath Hollis House (the Haworth Gallery building) and a substantial collection to the town, Richard Haworth, the Blackburn art dealer, George Nuttal, whose collection would also enrich the gallery, Henry Harrison of Blackburn, and Sir Thomas himself, who loaned his Vernet and would later donate it to the town. It would be fitting to quote here, in Sir Thomas's own words, the introduction to the exhibition catalogue:
§The main object of the Exhibition is to enable the whole of our community to enjoy for a short period, the privilege and pleasure of seeing some of the best pictures which it is possible to get together in this district, and thus, to foster a taste and desire for Art of the highest character in our midst.

§It would be a satisfactory achievement if this exhibition should prove to be the forerunner of a permanent Art Gallery in our town, and [...] I hope the suggestion may not be thought ungracious by those who can aid in forming such a desirable institution.§ (Catalogue of the loan Exhibition of Pictures, Organised by His Worship the Mayor, Held in the Carnegie Library, February and March, 1908, Accrington, 1908.'
Full Record*NIRP*- VADS: the online resource for visual arts
Incidentally one of my classmates at school was a descendent of his, and bore the same name.
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