Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke
Encyclopedia
Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke (27 December 1877 Northampton
- 21 October 1953) was the son of Joseph Tom Lowke, a Northampton boilermaker and his wife, Eliza, and is noted for having founded the firm of Bassett-Lowke
which specialised in producing construction sets, and model railways, boats and ships. He was married to Florence Jane Jones (9 May 1886 - 8 February 1973) on 21 March 1917.
Bassett-Lowke was actively interested in modern design, notably becoming a patron of the architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh
, who remodelled Basset-Lowke's home at 78 Derngate
, Northampton. Now a Grade II* listed building, the house (which has been fully restored) is now open as a museum and visitor attraction. He also employed the services of the stained glass artist E.W. Twining to provide much of his company's graphic identity. His close contacts with German toy manufacturers, particularly Gebruder Bing, introduced him to the very advanced state of design in Germany and organisations such as the Deutscher Werkbund. He was quick to join its British equivalent, The Design and Industries Association
, founded at the opening of the Great War. It is notable that in 1925-6 Lowke commissioned the German architect-designer Peter Behrens to design his house 'New Ways' in Northampton (now considered the first modernist building in the UK) rather than any UK architect. Lowke professed to Fabian socialist politics and greatly admired George Bernard Shaw
(to the extent of having him modelled as an '0' scale railway platform accessory). He supported Stephan Bing and other members of the family when, as Jews, they fled Nazi Germany to the UK in 1933.
Although Bassett-Lowke left school at thirteen, he absorbed many new ideas from his travelling and contact with people from all walks of life. He went on fact-finding missions to Germany and Holland. He was also keen to ensure that the outside world appreciated the benefits of Northampton
. In 1932, he was instrumental in producing a film showing Northampton’s history and current attractions. Despite his incessant travel, Bassett-Lowke never thought of leaving Northampton. He was a member of many societies, including the Rotary Club, of which he was a founder. His work on the Northampton Council gave him most opportunity to influence the future of the town. He was also a founder Director of the Northampton Repertory Theatre in 1926.
In January 2011 it was announced that W.J Bassett-Lowke would be commemorated with a steel sculpture placed alongside the River Nene
near a cycle route which runs from Becket's Park towards Upton in Northampton
. Bassett-Lowke was the winning choice following a public vote in Northamptonshire in which several potential 'local icons' were nominated. Charles Rennie Mackintosh
and poet John Clare
will also be commemorated as part of the same project, having received the second and third highest number of votes respectively.
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
- 21 October 1953) was the son of Joseph Tom Lowke, a Northampton boilermaker and his wife, Eliza, and is noted for having founded the firm of Bassett-Lowke
Bassett-Lowke
Bassett-Lowke was a toy company in Northampton, England, founded by Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke in 1898 or 1899, that specialized in model railways, boats and ships, and construction sets...
which specialised in producing construction sets, and model railways, boats and ships. He was married to Florence Jane Jones (9 May 1886 - 8 February 1973) on 21 March 1917.
Bassett-Lowke was actively interested in modern design, notably becoming a patron of the architect and designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect, designer, watercolourist and artist. He was a designer in the Arts and Crafts movement and also the main representative of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. He had a considerable influence on European design...
, who remodelled Basset-Lowke's home at 78 Derngate
78 Derngate
78 Derngate is a Grade II* listed Georgian house in the Derngate area of Northampton, England, originally built in the 1820s. It's noted for its interior, which was extensively remodelled in 1916 and 1917 by noted architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh for businessman Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke as...
, Northampton. Now a Grade II* listed building, the house (which has been fully restored) is now open as a museum and visitor attraction. He also employed the services of the stained glass artist E.W. Twining to provide much of his company's graphic identity. His close contacts with German toy manufacturers, particularly Gebruder Bing, introduced him to the very advanced state of design in Germany and organisations such as the Deutscher Werkbund. He was quick to join its British equivalent, The Design and Industries Association
Design and Industries Association
The Design and Industries Association is a United Kingdom charity whose object is to engage with all those who share a common interest in the contribution that design can make to the delivery of goods and services that are sustainable and enhance the quality of life for communities and the...
, founded at the opening of the Great War. It is notable that in 1925-6 Lowke commissioned the German architect-designer Peter Behrens to design his house 'New Ways' in Northampton (now considered the first modernist building in the UK) rather than any UK architect. Lowke professed to Fabian socialist politics and greatly admired George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw
George Bernard Shaw was an Irish playwright and a co-founder of the London School of Economics. Although his first profitable writing was music and literary criticism, in which capacity he wrote many highly articulate pieces of journalism, his main talent was for drama, and he wrote more than 60...
(to the extent of having him modelled as an '0' scale railway platform accessory). He supported Stephan Bing and other members of the family when, as Jews, they fled Nazi Germany to the UK in 1933.
Although Bassett-Lowke left school at thirteen, he absorbed many new ideas from his travelling and contact with people from all walks of life. He went on fact-finding missions to Germany and Holland. He was also keen to ensure that the outside world appreciated the benefits of Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
. In 1932, he was instrumental in producing a film showing Northampton’s history and current attractions. Despite his incessant travel, Bassett-Lowke never thought of leaving Northampton. He was a member of many societies, including the Rotary Club, of which he was a founder. His work on the Northampton Council gave him most opportunity to influence the future of the town. He was also a founder Director of the Northampton Repertory Theatre in 1926.
In January 2011 it was announced that W.J Bassett-Lowke would be commemorated with a steel sculpture placed alongside the River Nene
River Nene
The River Nene is a river in the east of England that rises from three sources in the county of Northamptonshire. The tidal river forms the border between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk for about . It is the tenth longest river in the United Kingdom, and is navigable for from Northampton to The...
near a cycle route which runs from Becket's Park towards Upton in Northampton
Northampton
Northampton is a large market town and local government district in the East Midlands region of England. Situated about north-west of London and around south-east of Birmingham, Northampton lies on the River Nene and is the county town of Northamptonshire. The demonym of Northampton is...
. Bassett-Lowke was the winning choice following a public vote in Northamptonshire in which several potential 'local icons' were nominated. Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh
Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect, designer, watercolourist and artist. He was a designer in the Arts and Crafts movement and also the main representative of Art Nouveau in the United Kingdom. He had a considerable influence on European design...
and poet John Clare
John Clare
John Clare was an English poet, born the son of a farm labourer who came to be known for his celebratory representations of the English countryside and his lamentation of its disruption. His poetry underwent a major re-evaluation in the late 20th century and he is often now considered to be among...
will also be commemorated as part of the same project, having received the second and third highest number of votes respectively.