Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Grainger, Richard (1798-1861)

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1201049Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 22 — Grainger, Richard (1798-1861)1890George Wardlaw Burnet

GRAINGER, RICHARD (1798–1861), an architect in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, was born in 1798. He was the son of a quay porter in that town. He was educated at St. Andrew's school, and served his time with a house carpenter, and afterwards with an architect. The bent of his mind was towards planning, and he began business as a builder on his own account. A fortunate marriage having placed a considerable capital at his disposal, he employed his wife's fortune in building operations upon twelve acres, then vacant in the centre of the town, on which he erected in the short space of five years many of the most important streets and buildings, including Grey and Grainger Streets, the market opened in 1835, the exchange, and the theatre. He planned and erected among others Eldon Square (in 1826), Higham Place, Leage's Crescent and Terrace, Clayton, Nelson, Hood, and Shakespeare Streets, the Royal Arcade, the branch Bank of England, and Lambton's bank. To him, in fact, Newcastle town owes most of its architectural adornment. He died on 4 July 1861.

[Newcastle Courant, July 1861, reprinted in Gent. Mag. 1861, pt. ii. 216–17.]

G. W. B.