Thomas Hayton Mawson

Thomas Mawson, landscape architect, published two major volumes: The Art and Craft of Garden Making in 1900 and Civic Art in 1911. His career in landscape design was very successful, completing over 200 commissions in the UK and also being involved in town planning in the US.

Mawson was born in Lancashire, joining a firm of builders at the age of 12. The family later moved to London, where Thomas worked with John Wills, a floral decorator, and at Hale Farm Nurseries. Along with his two brothers, he established a nursery and contracting business in Windermere. The firm was a great success, moving from work on local gardens to nationwide contracts, including both private and public works.

Mawson later followed an independent career in landscape design, leaving the firm of Mawson Brothers by 1900. He undertook both public and private works, from small gardens to prestigious contracts for such figures as Andrew Carnegie and Queen Alexandra. His work in North America took place between 1905 and 1914. During this time he was also active in Europe, sites including the Peace Palace Gardens in The Hague and the designs (never executed) of the royal gardens in Athens.

Thomas was married to Anna Prentice in 1884, and the couple had nine children. Their eldest son, Edward Prentice Mawson, was also a leading landscape architect, and took over the running of his father's firm after Thomas Mawson died from Parkinson's Disease in 1933.

Sources:

'Mawson, Thomas Hayton' Oxford Dictionary of National Biography http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/37748?docPos=4 accessed 29/05/2013

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