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
Associated Places
- Above Beck
- Athelhampton
- Aylesbury Vale Park
- Bailrigg House
- Ballimore
- Barley Wood Walled Garden
- Beechwood Park
- Bellevue Park
- Blackwell
- Bodelwyddan Castle
- Boveridge House School
- Breadsall Priory
- Brockhole, Windermere
- Broomfield Park
- Burslem Park
- Burton Manor
- Bushey Rose Garden
- Capernwray Hall
- Chapelwood Manor
- Dunchurch Lodge
- Dunira
- Dyffryn
- East Park, Wolverhampton
- Eaton Park
- Falinge Park
- Foots Cray Place
- Glen Tanar
- Graythwaite Hall
- Grovelands Park
- Hanley Park and Cauldon Grounds
- Haslam Park
- Holker Hall
- Kearsney Court
- King's Gardens and South Marine Gardens
- Lees Court, Formal Garden
- Lever Park, Rivington
- Leweston Manor
- Lews Castle And Lady Lever Park
- Little Onn Hall
- Maer Hall
- Maes Manor Hotel
- Meadowlands, Hoo Green
- Mere New Hall
- Moonhill
- Mount Stuart
- New Place
- Northernhay and Rougemont Gardens
- Port Sunlight
- Poundon House
- Queen's Garden
- Rivington Gardens
- Rushton Hall
- Russell Gardens
- Rydal Hall
- Saffron Hill Cemetery
- Skibo Castle
- Stanley Park, Blackpool
- Stonehurst
- The Flagstaff Gardens
- The Hill, Hampstead
- The Shawms
- The Willows
- Thornton Manor
- Tirley Garth
- Wern
- Whinburn
- Wightwick Manor
- Wood Hall
- Wood House
- Wych Cross Place
- Yews