John Douglas (1830-1911)

Trained in Lancaster and who set up his practice in Chester. His mother had been born and brought up on the Eaton estate in Cheshire and he went on to design of many of the buildings on the estate of Eaton Hall. Douglas was to carry out a great variety of works for the first Duke of Westminster on his Eaton estate and in his properties in North Wales. These included farms, lodges, school, cottages and churches and large houses Pevsner described him, without qualification, as “the best Cheshire architect”.

He formed Douglas & Fordham with Daniel Porter Fordham and practiced as such from 1884 until 1898 when the partnership was dissolved. Later formed Douglas & Minshull with Charles Howard Minshull in 1898. Their partnership was dissolved in 1909.