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Benjamin Backhouse (1829-1904) - Architect
Description
GenderMaleLife Story
Professional Table of Works:
|
Date |
Building |
Location |
Commissioned By |
Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1862-1863 |
Ipswich Grammar School |
Woodend |
|
As Backhouse & Taylor |
|
1862-1863 |
Wesleyan Church |
Ellenborough St, Ipswich |
|
New facade As Backhouse & Taylor |
|
1863 |
Shop & residence |
|
Mr Ford |
|
|
1863-1864 |
St Mary's Convent |
Woodend |
Sisters of Mercy |
1866 extended by Charles Balding |
|
1864 |
Railway Hotel |
|
|
|
|
1864 |
Ipswich Grammar School |
Woodend |
|
Additions to main building |
|
1864-1866 |
St Stephen's Presbyterian Church |
cnr Gordon & Limestone St, Ipswich |
|
Supervised by Joseph Backhouse
|
References (Offline)Donald Watson & Judith McKay, 1994, 'Queensland Architects of the 19th Century', Queensland Museum.References (Online)Australian Dictionary of BiographyObituary - Benjamin BackhouseBenjamin Backhouse [Wikipedia, accessed 13/06/2025]Mr Benjamin Backhouse (1829-1904), Parliament of New South Wales [accessed 13/06/2025]Benjamin Backhouse in Brisbane, 1861-1868: An Architectural Pioneer in Colonial Queensland, by John W. East [accessed 13/06/2025]
Life Events
Date of Birth1829Place of BirthIpswich, Suffolk, EnglandDate of Death29th July 1904Place of DeathRushcutters Bay, Sydney, New South Wales
Family
ParentsBenjamin BackhouseElizabeth Prentice Backhouse (nee Fuller)ChildrenAlfred Paxton BackhouseFrank BackhouseErnest BackhouseClarence BackhouseClive BackhouseMaurice BackhouseOscar BackhouseNotes on FamilyBenjamin Backhouse senior was a stonemason and builder.
Marriage/s
Name of SpouseLydia Warne Backhouse (nee Johnson)Date of Marriage20th August 1849Notes on Marriage/sBenjamin and Lydia had 4 daughters and 7 sons.
Marriage/s
Name of SpouseEmma Backhouse (nee Sanday)Date of Marriage1903
Immigration
Place of ArrivalVictoria, AustraliaDate of Arrival1852Notes on ImmigrationFinancial losses induced him to migrate at this time.
He returned to London by the end of the decade (possibly 1860) before re-immigrating to Australia, settling in Brisbane in 1861, before moving to Sydney in 1868.
He returned to London by the end of the decade (possibly 1860) before re-immigrating to Australia, settling in Brisbane in 1861, before moving to Sydney in 1868.
Employment
OccupationArchitect
Professional Tradespeople
Building Field (Skill, Profession, Product)ArchitectProfessional Connections (Who they worked with)Thomas Taylor - ArchitectJoseph Backhouse - ArchitectBuildings & Structures (domestic, civic etc))The Great HallBuildings & Structures (churches)Ipswich Central Mission - Wesleyan ChapelBuildings & Structures (commercial)Railway Hotel, North Ipswich
Political Representation
Level of OfficeLegislative CouncilLocal/State/Federal RepresentationMember of the New South Wales Legislative CouncilIn Office8th August 1895 to 29th July 1904Notes on Time In OfficeLife Appointment under the Constitution Act. Date of Writ of Summons 8th August 1895.References (online) for Time In OfficeMr Benjamin Backhouse (1829-1904), Parliament of New South Wales [accessed 13/06/2025]
Memberships
Professional MembershipsHonorary Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (1886)
Connections
Sort by SurnameSurnames beginning with BCurated CollectionsArchitects, Builders & TradespeopleDefining Tulmur | IpswichShaping Our Identity: Architecture - Mid Colonial
Linked To
Buildings & Structures (domestic, civic etc))Buildings & Structures (churches)Buildings & Structures (commercial)Sort by SurnameCurated CollectionsDefining Tulmur | IpswichChurches & CemeteriesImages
Copyright
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Benjamin Backhouse (1829-1904) - Architect. Picture Ipswich, accessed 12/09/2026, https://www.pictureipswich.com.au/nodes/view/20033






