Thomas Walter Harding
Encyclopedia
Colonel Thomas Walter Harding (1843–1927) was an industrialist and civic figure in Leeds
, West Yorkshire
, England. He was born in Lille
, France
where his Leeds-based father had a factory, and was educated at Leeds Grammar School
. He built extensions to Tower Works
in Holbeck
in 1899 and the 1920s, and proposed and financed the sculptures including the Black Prince
when Leeds City Square
was remodelled.
He used the title "Colonel" after the Leeds artillery volunteers gave him the title of Honorary Colonel when he retired after 33 years service in 1893.
He was Lord Mayor of Leeds
in 1898-99, and was created a Freeman of the City of Leeds in 1903. He moved from his home in Abbey House (originally Kirkstall Abbey's gatehouse) to Hartsholme Hall, Lincolnshire (1902) and Madingley Hall, Cambridgeshire (1906), which he restored. In 1901 he was appointed High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England. He was born in Lille
Lille
Lille is a city in northern France . It is the principal city of the Lille Métropole, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the country behind those of Paris, Lyon and Marseille. Lille is situated on the Deûle River, near France's border with Belgium...
, France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
where his Leeds-based father had a factory, and was educated at Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School
Leeds Grammar School was an independent school in Leeds established in 1552. In August 2005 it merged with Leeds Girls' High School to form The Grammar School at Leeds. The two schools physically united in September 2008....
. He built extensions to Tower Works
Tower Works
Tower Works is a former factory notable for its three listed towers. It is located on Globe Road in Holbeck, Leeds, West Yorkshire, next to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The Italianate towers of the factory are a distinctive landmark on the Leeds skyline....
in Holbeck
Holbeck
Holbeck is a district in Leeds, West Yorkshire, England.The district begins on the southern edge of the Leeds city centre and mainly lies in the LS11 Leeds postcode area. The M1 and M621 motorways used to end/begin in Holbeck. Now the M621 is the only motorway that passes through the area since...
in 1899 and the 1920s, and proposed and financed the sculptures including the Black Prince
Edward, the Black Prince
Edward of Woodstock, Prince of Wales, Duke of Cornwall, Prince of Aquitaine, KG was the eldest son of King Edward III of England and his wife Philippa of Hainault as well as father to King Richard II of England....
when Leeds City Square
Leeds City Square
City Square is a paved open area in Leeds city centre in West Yorkshire, England.In 1897, the Leeds city council of the time wanted to improve the open space near to the Post Office and in 1899 work was completed. The city square was enhanced with the erection of statues, the grandest being the...
was remodelled.
He used the title "Colonel" after the Leeds artillery volunteers gave him the title of Honorary Colonel when he retired after 33 years service in 1893.
He was Lord Mayor of Leeds
Lord Mayor of Leeds
The Lord Mayor of Leeds is a ceremonial post held by a member of Leeds City Council, elected annually by the council....
in 1898-99, and was created a Freeman of the City of Leeds in 1903. He moved from his home in Abbey House (originally Kirkstall Abbey's gatehouse) to Hartsholme Hall, Lincolnshire (1902) and Madingley Hall, Cambridgeshire (1906), which he restored. In 1901 he was appointed High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire and Huntingdonshire.