Correspondence of Edward Welch

Scope and Content

These two letters refer to Welch's involvement with Owen in trying to organise a country wide Trade Union of builders.

Administrative / Biographical History

Edward Welch (1806-1868) was an architect born in Overton, Flintshire, in North Wales. Having been a pupil of John Oates at Halifax, West Yorkshire, in 1828 Welch formed a partnership with Joseph Hansom, designer of the hansom cab. Together they designed several churches in Yorkshire and Liverpool, and also worked on the renovation of Bodelwyddan Castle in Denbighshire. They also designed Birmingham Town Hall in 1830, however they stood surety for the builders, which drove them to bankruptcy and the dissolution of their partnership in 1834.

In 1833, along with his partner Joseph Hansom, joined Robert Owen in a attempt to form a Trade Union of men from the building trade.

Subjects