Walter Liberty Vernon
{{Short description|English architect}}
{{Use Australian English|date=June 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox officeholder
|honorific-prefix = Colonel
|name = Walter Liberty Vernon
|honorific-suffix = {{post-nominals|country=UK|VD|FRIBA}}
| image = WalterVernon.jpg
| office = 10th New South Wales Government Architect
| term_start = 1 August 1890
| term_end = 11 August 1911
| successor = James Barnet
| predecessor = George McRae
| office1 = 10th Mayor of East St Leonards
| term_start1 = 9 February 1887
| term_end1 = 18 February 1888
| predecessor1 = George Ranken
| successor1 = Patrick William Glacken
| office2 = Alderman of the Borough of
East St Leonards
| term_start2 = 4 March 1885
| term_end2 = 29 July 1890
| 1blankname2 = Ward
| 1namedata2 = East Ward (1889–1890)
| office3 = Alderman of the Municipality of North Sydney
| term_start3 = 29 July 1890
| term_end3 = 10 February 1891
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1846|08|11|df=y}}
| birth_place = High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1914|01|17|1846|08|11|df=y}}
| death_place = Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia
| resting_place = Gore Hill cemetery
| education = {{bulleted list|Royal Academy of Arts|South Kensington School of Art}}
| occupation = Architect
| alma_mater =
| religion =
| signature =
| spouse = Margaret Anne Jones
| children = Hugh Venables Vernon
Geoffrey Hampden Vernon
| parents =
| relatives =
| allegiance = {{UK}}
{{AUS}}
| branch = NSW Colonial Forces
Australian Army
| serviceyears = 1885–1910
| serviceyears_label =
| rank = Colonel
| unit =
| commands = {{bulleted list|New South Wales Lancers}}
| awards = Queen Victoria Diamond Jubilee Medal (1897)
Volunteer Officers' Decoration (1905)
| memorials =
}}
Colonel Walter Liberty Vernon {{post-nominals|country=UK|VD|FRIBA}} (11 August 1846{{spaced ndash}}17 January 1914) was an English architect who migrated to Australia and pursued his career as an architect in Sydney, New South Wales. In his role as the New South Wales Government Architect he is noted for designing multiple government buildings, many of which are extant with listings on national and state heritage registers.
Early life
Vernon was born 11 August 1846 in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, England,{{cite AuDB |title=Vernon, Walter Liberty (1846–1914) |id2=vernon-walter-liberty-8916 |author=Reynolds, Peter |access-date=12 October 2017 }} the son of a banker's clerk, Robert Vernon and Margaret Liberty. He was articled in 1862 to a London architect, W. G. Habershon, and studied at the Royal Academy of Arts and South Kensington School of Art. After completing his studies, he pursued a practice as an architect in London and married Margaret Anne Jones in 1870 at Newport, Wales. His London practice was successful, but he suffered from bronchial asthma and received medical advice to leave England. He migrated to Australia and arrived in Sydney in November 1883.
Career in Australia
Vernon established a private practice in Sydney, and then partnered with William Wardell from 1884 until 1889. Vernon assisted with works already in progress, designed buildings and supervised Wardell's Melbourne projects in 1884–85. Vernon was an alderman on East St Leonards Municipal Council in 1885–90, serving a single term as Mayor from 1887 to 1888.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article221636023 |title=BOROUGH OF EAST ST. LEONARDS. |newspaper=New South Wales Government Gazette |issue=97 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=10 March 1885 |access-date=11 April 2019 |page=1596 |via=National Library of Australia}}{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article219935016 |title=BOROUGH OE EAST ST. LEONARDS. |newspaper=New South Wales Government Gazette |issue=91 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=15 February 1887 |access-date=10 April 2019 |page=1120 |via=National Library of Australia}} When the Borough of East St Leonards amalgamated to form the Municipality of North Sydney on 29 July 1890, Vernon was an Alderman of the new council, but did not seek re-election when his term expired in February 1891.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article235890160 |title=MUNICIPAL. |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=15 January 1891 |access-date=22 June 2020 |page=6 |via=Trove }} Elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1885, he joined the (Royal) Art Society of New South Wales in 1884, (Sir) John Sulman's Palladian Club and the Institute of Architects of New South Wales in 1887, and the Sydney Architectural Association in 1891.
On 1 August 1890, Vernon was appointed as the New South Wales Government Architect, however his staff numbers were reduced significantly.{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article224318850 |title=Government Gazette Appointments and Employment |newspaper=New South Wales Government Gazette |issue=429 |location=New South Wales, Australia |date=12 August 1890 |access-date=11 April 2019 |page=6280 |via=National Library of Australia}} Vernon showed that the system of design competitions were twice as expensive and the activities of this office were boosted in 1894 when extra funding was committed as a way of creating relief work during the Depression of the 1890s.
As an architect practising in Australia, Vernon favoured what were later known as the Federation styles, such as the Free Classical, Arts and Crafts, and Free Style.
Examples of the former were his fire station in St Johns Road, Glebe, Jenolan Caves House in the Blue Mountains and the Public School, Military Road, Mosman.{{cite book | title = A Pictorial Guide to Identifying Australian Architecture| publisher =Apperly (Angus and Robertson Publishers) | year = 1994 }} Examples of the latter were his fire stations in The Avenue, Randwick; Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst; and Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont.{{cite book | title = The Heritage of Australia| publisher =Macmillan Company | year = 1981 }} Another example of Federation Free Style is the former police station, Taylor Square, Darlinghurst. In a stylistic departure, he designed the (former) police station in Bourke Street, Surry Hills, in the Romanesque style.
For more substantial public buildings, Vernon continued the tradition whereby such buildings were designed in a Classical style. Notable examples were the Art Gallery of New South Wales, the Mitchell Library (part of the State Library), Central railway station and Newcastle Court House. The Art Gallery has been described as "masterly symmetry featuring Ionic colonnades." Central Station has been described as "the grandest railway station in Australia."{{rp|p.2/108}}
Vernon also designed significant additions to existing buildings, such as Customs House in Circular Quay; Randwick Police Station; the Chief Secretary's Building, Sydney; Balranald Post Office; Armidale Post Office; and the former Premier's Office, Sydney. His office was also responsible for the public decorations during the Federation celebrations of 1901.
in 1906, he advocated Mahkoolma, near the future site of Lake Burrinjuck, as the site of Australia's new national capital.{{Cite news |date=1906-05-31 |title=The Federal Capital |pages=2 |work=Yass Evening Tribune |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article248433648 |access-date=2022-03-15}}{{Cite news |date=1906-05-30 |title=FEDERAL CAPITAL SITE. |pages=9 |work=Sydney Morning Herald |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article14775487 |access-date=2022-03-15}}
He retired as New South Wales Government Architect in 1911 and returned to private practice, establishing a partnership with Howard Joseland. The latter, also born in England, was a practitioner of the Federation Arts and Crafts and Federation Bungalow styles. One of the buildings designed by Vernon and Joseland was the Paterson Reid and Bruce building, York Street, Sydney. In 1911, Vernon judged the competition entries for Parliament House in Wellington, New Zealand, after the original buildings were destroyed in a 1907 fire.{{cite web |title=The halfway house – Parliament buildings|url= http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/politics/parliament-buildings/the-halfway-house |publisher=New Zealand History Online|access-date=12 February 2012}}{{cite news|title=New Parliament Buildings|url=http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=THS19110928.2.5|access-date=12 February 2012|newspaper=Thames Star|volume=XLVII|issue=10273|date=28 September 1911|page=1|archive-date=17 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140317181450/http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=THS19110928.2.5|url-status=live}}
Death and funeral
Following the amputation of a leg, Vernon died of septicaemia and gangrene on 17 January 1914 in Darlinghurst and his "impressive funeral" at St James' Church, Sydney on 19 January was attended by "a large and representative gathering of mourners".{{cite news |url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article15478548 |title=Late Colonel Vernon |newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=20 January 1914 |access-date=27 March 2014 |page=7 }} He is buried in the Anglican section of the Gore Hill cemetery.
Legacy
Vernon had an outstanding career as an architect, with many of his buildings being listed on various national and/or state heritage registers. He is known as a key practitioner of various Federation styles. The Vernon lectures in town planning, instituted at the University of Sydney in 1916, were endowed in his honour. Vernon Circle in Canberra is named in his honour, as is the Vernon Pavilion in Sydney's Centennial Park.{{cite web|url=http://expressway.paulrands.com/gallery/roads/act/numbered/nationalroutes/nr23/02_actontofyshwick/index.html|title=Northbourne Avenue, Vernon Circle, Commonwealth Avenue, State Circle, Capital Circle, Canberra Avenue, Hume Place and Monaro Highway (National Route 23) – Acton to Fyshwick|work=Road Photos & Information: Australian Capital Territory|publisher=Paul Rands|access-date=21 September 2014|archive-date=2 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402101835/http://expressway.paulrands.com/gallery/roads/act/numbered/nationalroutes/nr23/02_actontofyshwick/index.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/tools_resources/place_search3?sq_content_src=%2BdXJsPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkYyMDMuOS4yNDkuMyUyRlBsYWNlTmFtZXMlMkZQbGFjZURldGFpbHMuYXNweCUzRm9iamVjdElEJTNEMTAzMjEmYWxsPTE%3D|title=Vernon Circle|publisher=ACT Government, Environment and Planning|access-date=21 September 2014|archive-date=27 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227014857/http://www.actpla.act.gov.au/tools_resources/place_search3?sq_content_src=+dXJsPWh0dHAlM0ElMkYlMkYyMDMuOS4yNDkuMyUyRlBsYWNlTmFtZXMlMkZQbGFjZURldGFpbHMuYXNweCUzRm9iamVjdElEJTNEMTAzMjEmYWxsPTE%3D|url-status=live}}
=Partial list of works=
The following buildings and structures were designed either in part or in full by Vernon, that are listed on active Commonwealth or State heritage registers include:
Other places were Vernon had involvement, either in part or in full, that are not listed on active Commonwealth or State heritage registers include the Anderson Stuart building, The University of Sydney,{{cite NSW SHR|4726007|Anderson Stuart Building|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite NSW SHR|2431007|Anderson Stuart Building, University of Sydney Including Interior|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1886|Medical School|access-date=15 October 2017}} the former Balranald Post Office (since demolished),{{cite AHD|688|Balranald Post Office|access-date=13 October 2017}} Bowral Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080020|Bowral Court House|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1544|Bowral Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} the former Braidwood Courthouse,{{cite AHD|1162|Braidwood Courthouse (former)|access-date=13 October 2017}} Charles Sturt University, Original Farm and Farm School Buildings, Bathurst,{{cite NSW SHR|3040007|Stables|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|819|Mitchell Campus Original Farm and Farm School Buildings|access-date=15 October 2017}} Cootamundra Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080047|Cootamundra Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|701|Condobolin Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} Condobolin Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080043|Condobolin Court House|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|929|Condobolin Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} Cowra Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080048|Cowra Court House|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|930|Cowra Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} Crows Nest Fire Station,{{cite NSW SHR|4690019|Crows Nest Fire Station|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|2910|Crows Nest Fire Station|access-date=15 October 2017}} Darlinghurst Fire Station,{{cite NSW SHR|4690020|Darlinghurst Fire Station|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1996|Darlinghurst Fire Station|access-date=15 October 2017}} Darlinghurst Police Station (former),{{cite NSW SHR|2420332|Former Darlinghurst Police Station Including Interior|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|2348|Darlinghurst Police Station and Residence|access-date=15 October 2017}} Dubbo Lands Board Office,{{cite NSW SHR|1520293|Dubbo Lands Office|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|472|Lands Board Office Buildinge|access-date=15 October 2017}} Forbes Lands Board Office,{{cite AHD|14374|Lands Office|access-date=15 October 2017}} Hay Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080068|Hay Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|764|Hay Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} Hay Lands Board Office,{{cite NSW SHR|1750005|Lands Office|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|767|Land Board Office|access-date=15 October 2017}} Hunters Hill Post Office,{{cite NSW SHR|7714|Post Office|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|2656|Hunters Hill Post Office|access-date=15 October 2017}} Kogarah Post Office (former),{{cite NSW SHR|1870616|Kogarah Community Aid and Information Centre|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|3329|Kogarah Community Aid and Information Centre|access-date=15 October 2017}} Lismore Post Office,{{cite NSW SHR|1950045|Post and Telegraph Office (Former)|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|235|Lismore Post Office|access-date=15 October 2017}} Narrandera Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080099|Narrandera Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|729|Narrandera Courthouse and Police Station Group|access-date=15 October 2017}} Newtown Post Office,{{cite NSW SHR|2420855|Newtown Post Office including interior|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1784|Newtown Post Office|access-date=15 October 2017}} Orange Lands Board Office,{{cite NSW SHR|2220008|Lands Office Kite Street|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|905|Lands Board Office|access-date=15 October 2017}} Parkes Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080106|Parkes Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|954|Parkes Courthouse Group|access-date=15 October 2017}} Pyrmont Fire Station,{{cite NSW SHR|4690049|Pyrmont Fire Station|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|2058|Pyrmont Fire Station|access-date=15 October 2017}} Randwick Police Station,{{cite NSW SHR|2310174|Police Station|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1769|Randwick Police Station|access-date=15 October 2017}} Redfern Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080111|Redfern Court House|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1777|Redfern Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} Sargood & Co Warehouse (former),{{cite NSW SHR|2424065|Former "Sargood & Co" Warehouse Including Interiors & Grounds (144 Clarence St)|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|1853|Paterson Reid and Bruce Ltd Building|access-date=15 October 2017}} Summer Hill Post Office (former),{{Cite web |date=1993 |title=Summer Hill Main Street Study - Inventory, 152 Smith Street. |url=https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/1711/Smith%20St%20152.pdf.aspx |access-date=18 November 2023 |archive-date=18 November 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231118053733/https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/1711/Smith%20St%20152.pdf.aspx |url-status=live }} Surry Hills Police Station (former),{{cite NSW SHR|2420486|Former Police Station Buildings Including Interiors|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|2079|Police Station (former)|access-date=15 October 2017}} Wagga Wagga Court House,{{cite NSW SHR|3080123|Wagga Wagga Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|751|Wagga Wagga Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}} Western Sydney University Stable Square, Richmond{{cite NSW SHR|1741574|Administrative Block, Blacksmith Shop and Stable Square|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|3132|Stable Square|access-date=15 October 2017}} and Wyalong Court House.{{cite NSW SHR|3080135|Wyalong Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}{{cite AHD|921|Wyalong Courthouse|access-date=15 October 2017}}
Gallery
Image:(1)Pyrmont_Fire_Station-1.jpg|Pyrmont Fire Station
Image:RandwickFireStation0001.jpg|Randwick Fire Station
Image:(1)Darlinghurst_Fire_Station-b.jpg|Darlinghurst Fire Station
Image:Caves-House-Accommodation-at-Jenolan-Caves.jpg|Jenolan Caves House, in the Blue Mountains
See also
{{stack|{{portal|New South Wales|Biography|Architecture}}}}
{{-}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- [http://federation-house.wikispaces.com/Architect+Walter+Liberty+Vernon Walter Liberty Vernon at Federation House]
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{{s-civ}}
{{s-bef| before=George Ranken }}
{{s-ttl |title= Mayor of East St Leonards | years =1887 – 1888 }}
{{s-aft|after=Patrick William Glacken }}
{{s-gov}}
{{s-bef| before=James Barnet }}
{{s-ttl |title= New South Wales Government Architect | years =1890 – 1911 }}
{{s-aft|after=George McRae }}
{{s-mil}}
{{succession box |title= Commanding Officer of the New South Wales Lancers | before= Lieutenant-Colonel James Burns | after= Lieutenant-Colonel
Charles Frederick Cox | years=1903 – 1906}}
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{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vernon, Walter Liberty}}
Category:Military personnel from Buckinghamshire
Category:Architects from Buckinghamshire
Category:Architects from Sydney
Category:Public servants of New South Wales
Category:Federation architects
Category:People from High Wycombe
Category:19th-century Australian architects
Category:Mayors of East St Leonards
Category:19th-century Australian military personnel
Category:20th-century Australian military personnel