Yahoo News Former Lord Mayor of Newcastle honoured with a plaque in his memory
A Victorian Lord Mayor of Newcastle, renown for modernising local government and building the city's first libraries, will be honoured with a plaque in his memory.
William Haswell Stephenson, born in Throckley Hall in 1836, and died in 1918, is to receive a plaque commemorating his legacy, placed on the entrance of the manor house that still stands today.
The unveiling of the plaque, on the outer gates to the estate on Coach Lane., was led by the Lord Mayor of Newcastle, Cllr Rob Higgins, and Dr Kristian Blackhall, who lives in Throckley Hall, on Wednesday with his family.
Known as "the Father of the Council", Sir William served as Lord Mayor several times, and gained his wealth through the family coal business, Throckley Coal Company. Knighted in 1900 at Windsor Castle, he played a leading role in modernising local government. But it was his sense of social justice and generosity, that cemented Sir William’s enduring legacy to the public.
He made several gifts to the city including a bronze statue of Queen Victoria, unveiled in 1903 still standing today in St Nicholas Square, next to Newcastle Cathedral.
Most prominently, he funded Newcastle's first branch library- The Stephenson Library in Elswick, at the cost of £4000- that opened in 1896. Followed in 1908 by the Lady Stephenson Library, named after his late wife Eliza Mary Bond, it was later known as the Walker Library before closing its doors in 2013.
Unveiling the plaque, Newcastle’s current Lord Mayor, Cllr Rob Higgins, said: “Sir William Haswell Stephenson was a leading figure in his day as an employer, an industrialist and generous benefactor. I was gratified to learn he built libraries for the advancement of education."
“He was a man who used his wealth to help those less fortunate than himself, and his legacy can still be seen today in some of the buildings and monuments he built making him a very worthy recipient of this commemorative plaque.”
Dr Kristian Blackhall, who nominated Sir William for the accolade, spoke of how the research process began two years ago when he unearthed 'Stephenson' engraved stone in the garden: "We were aware of the coal mine, and came to realise it was the same Stephenson of the Lord Mayor, a historical figure of some merit having been an industrialist and owner of most of Throckley, the old pits and brickworks."
“It seemed fitting therefore that a plaque commemorating him, and his legacy should be placed at the entrance to the estate where he was born and lived all his life.”
Russell Lawler, local resident with a keen interest in unearthing history, who set up online group 'Throckley and Beyond' , helped piece together information about Sir William. He said: "I think its good to get people engaged in remembering the past." Understanding now the people and industries that have came before us."
"Without sharing our history and heritage, these stories are at risk of becoming lost and forgotten."
Dr Kristian Blackhall echoed similar sentiments: "By maintaining and restoring Throckley Hall sympatric of the Victorian time, we have also preserved it for the future. Its like stepping into the past of 200 years ago."
At the unveiling of the plaque, members of the Stephenson family were also in attendance. April Stephenson, widow of John Stephenson, great nephew of William Haswell Stephenson, who has known of the house since she was 6 years old, commented; "How extraordinary it was." Her daughter, Allice, shared the same enthusiasm: "Its great to be commemorating the former mining engineer."
Anyone who would like to nominate a person or a building for a plaque should email a completed application form from the council’s plaque webpage with supporting information to urbandesignconservation@newcastle.gov.uk
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