Harvey Lonsdale Elmes

Harvey Lonsdale Elmes (born 1813, died 26 November, 1847), the son of James Elmes, was born in Chichester, England. He was a distinguished architect.

After serving some time in his father's office, and under a surveyor at Bedford and an architect (Henry Goodridge) at Bath, he became partner with his father in 1835, and in July 1839 he was successful among 86 competitors for a design for St George's Hall, Liverpool. The foundation stone of this building had been laid on the 28 June 1838, but, Elmes being successful in a competition for the Assize Courts in the same city, it was finally decided to include the hall and courts in a single building. In accordance with this idea, Elmes prepared a fresh design, and the work of erection commenced in 1841. He superintended its progress until 1847, when from failing health he was compelled to delegate his duties to John Weightman (City Surveyor) and Robert Rawlinson (Structural Engineer) and leave for Jamaica, where he died of consumption on the 26 November 1847. Charles Robert Cockerell took over supervision of the project in 1851.

Notable Buildings

 * St. George's Hall, Liverpool.
 * Liverpool Collegiate Institution.
 * Thingwall House.