Friday, 03 July 2009
Our forgotten Architect: William Moss Settle and Vickerstown
The society’s secretary, Dr Ruth Hughes, gave us a talk about William Moss Settle, the architect responsible for designing and building 930 houses in Vickerstown, on Walney Island, between 1900-1905 for Vickers Sons & Maxim Ltd. Despite being responsible for this large and important project, Settle has been virtually forgotten by history. Dr Hughes explained how she managed to piece together the details of his personal and professional life through scraps of evidence located across the country. He had, for instance, designed a house for the Letchworth Cheap Cottages Exhibition of 1905, and the Masonic Hall in Ulverston the same year. Settle died in December 1905 aged 29 years, a victim of an influenza epidemic, and is buried in Ulverston cemetery. He therefore never had the opportunity to expand his professional career, and is probably the reason he has been forgotten. Dr Hughes’ lecture was supported with photographs, statistics and quotations and was well received by the audience.
Next meeting Tuesday 21 July at Cartmel Village Hall at 7.30pm. This will be a Workshop looking at local village histories. Members & guests welcome