James H. Owen (1822-91)

James Higgins Owen, a son of Jacob Owen, was born on 15 June 1822. A student at Trinity College, Dublin, graduating with the BA degree in 1844. Later a pupil in his father’s office, and of his brother-in-law Charles Lanyon in Belfast. He joined the staff of the Board of Public Works architectural department on 26 July 1847 as acting assistant architect, and on 1 June 1849 he was appointed clerk of works. On 1 April 1854 he was promoted to the post of assistant architect and two years later, on 8 May 1856, he succeeded his father as architect. He remained in this post until his death in 1891.