Robert Butcher Mather
Robert Butcher Mather | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1851 South Shore, Blackpool, Lancashire, England |
| Died | 1933-07-27 |
| Occupation(s) | Architect, surveyor, businessman, innkeeper, magistrate, politician |
| Years active | Late 19th century – early 20th century |
| Known for | Mayor of Blackpool (1897–98), architectural works in Blackpool, contributions to local politics and community |
Alderman Robert Butcher Mather (1851 – 27 July 1933) was a prominent individual in Blackpool, Lancashire, England, throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Having served on the town council for an extended period, he held the office of mayor during 1897–98 and significantly influenced Blackpool’s growth into a premier tourist destination.
Mather’s professional roles included those of an architect, surveyor, businessman, innkeeper, and magistrate. He rose to become one of Blackpool’s most affluent residents, overseeing multiple enterprises and owning various properties such as The New Inn and Central Hotel, where he lived with his family.
In recognition of his services to the Blackpool community, Mather was granted the Freedom of the Borough in 1914.
Family life
Born in 1851 at Anchor Cottage in South Shore, Blackpool, Mather was the son of Robert, a former educator turned innkeeper who relocated to Blackpool from Preesall in the 1840s to teach at Baines Endowed School in Marton. His mother, Ellen Salthouse, was descended from a local landlord. The family later moved to Poulton-le-Fylde when Robert took over as licensee of the Black Bull Hotel and served on Blackpool’s inaugural town council representing Brunswick Ward. Eventually, they settled in central Blackpool at the New Inn near Hounds Hill.
Educated at Bamber's School in Blackpool, Robert Butcher Mather married Elizabeth Jane Kay in 1875; they had five children, two of whom survived infancy. Following Elizabeth’s death from tuberculosis in 1890, he wed Ellen Ireland later that same year. Together they had eight children, with two passing away during childhood. In 1896, the New Inn was reconstructed and renamed the New Inn and Central Hotel. By 1900, the family resided at Courtfield on Hornby Road, a residence designed by Mather himself.
His sons Robert and William Bernard both served during World War I before joining their father’s architectural and surveying business, which was renamed R. B. Mather, Sons and Wilding and continued operating until shortly after Mather’s death in 1933.
Beyond his architectural practice, Mather held stakes in several companies including the Royal Hotel Company, Blackpool Passenger Steamboat Company, and the North Pier Company. He owned properties such as the Clarence Hotel and New Inn and was responsible for developing numerous commercial and residential sites across Blackpool, including Mather Street in Layton. A committed Roman Catholic, he was noted for his philanthropic support of the Church of the Sacred Heart on Talbot Road, Blackpool Victoria Hospital—where he served as chairman of the board for many years—and the local Conservative Club.
Mather passed away at home on 27 July 1933 and was interred at Layton cemetery. Survived by his wife Ellen and six children, the family remained at Courtfield until its sale in 1945 when it was converted into a hotel and catering college.
In his testament, Mather donated Queenstown Park to the residents of Layton. A marble altar was installed at Sacred Heart Church in 1937 as a tribute to his memory.
Politics
A staunch Conservative, Mather first secured election to Blackpool Town Council in November 1891 as an independent candidate, narrowly defeating the sitting Liberal by 15 votes. Although he lost re-election subsequently, he continued serving on the council as an alderman. In 1896 he was appointed justice of the peace for Lancashire and later for Blackpool following establishment of the Borough Bench in 1898. He was unanimously chosen as mayor of Blackpool for the term 1897–98.
During his tenure on the council, Mather chaired both markets and lighting committees and participated on the Fylde Water Board. He was instrumental in founding the Blackpool Borough Bench in 1898 as well as establishing a bankruptcy court. Between 1897 and 1899, he also held a seat on Lancashire County Council.
In 1918, Mather assumed chairmanship of the executive committee of the Blackpool Conservative Association and subsequently became its chairman.
Architect and Surveyor
Mather received his architectural and surveying education while working in his brother's practice before joining Magee Marshall & Co, a brewery based in Bolton, where he was responsible for designing numerous public houses in Blackpool. He eventually established his own architectural firm, which was later expanded to include his sons and Fred Moxon Wilding; the partnership known as R. B. Mather, Sons and Wilding was disbanded shortly after Mather's passing.
Notable Works
- Casino Building at Blackpool Pleasure Beach (constructed 1913, demolished 1938)
- Blackpool United Hebrew Congregation synagogue on Leamington Road (1916–1926)
- Public houses:
- The Victory, located on Caunce Street
- Waterloo Hotel, situated on Waterloo Road
- King Edward VII Hotel on Chapel Street
- Queen's Hydro Hotel in South Shore
- Lancaster Bank building
- Lancashire and Yorkshire Bank premises
- An additional wing added to the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus at Layton
- Educational facilities:
- St Cuthbert's Catholic School-Chapel in South Shore
- Catholic Church School along Talbot Road
- Blackpool Aerodrome in South Shore (1910)
- Clifton Park Racecourse, South Shore (1911)
- Arcade of Victoria Pier—now known as South Pier—(1911)