OUGD603 - Typeface design - Richard Grainger research

Looking into the man behind Grainger Town was crucial to gaining more context for the typeface.

Grainger Town Plans

Grainger (1797–1861) was a builder and most notably he worked together with the architects John Dobson and Thomas Oliver, and with the town clerk, John Clayton, to redevelop the centre of Newcastle in the 19th century. Growing up in Newcastle you are forever familiar with these names as they are embedded within the city. But the one that stands out for a number of reasons is Richard Grainger, whether that be for the Grainger Market or that he is a name that comes to mind first when you think of architecture, building and design within the city.

The great buildings and streets of Newcastle were mainly built by Grainger and his architects. Between 1824 and 1826 he built the greater part of Eldon Square, designed by John Dobson and Blackett Street, designed by Thomas Oliver. In 1827 Grainger built St Mary's Place, designed by John Dobson. In 1829 Grainger began work on Leazes Terrace, Leazes Crescent and Leazes Place, all designed by Thomas Oliver and aimed at middle-class tenants. In 1832 he completed building the Royal Arcade at the foot of Pilgrim Street. A full list of the streets designed by Grainger are below:

• Higham Place, 1819-1820, partially demolished nos 6,7 & 8 remain
• Blackett Street, 1824, demolished
• Eldon Square, 1825-1831, partially demolished 1 terrace of 3 remains
• Leazes Crescent, 1829-1830, extant
• Royal Arcade, 1831-1832, demolished
• Leazes Terrace, 1829-1834, extant
• Grey Street, 1834-1839, extant
• Grainger Market, 1835, extant
• Grey's Monument, 1838, extant
• Graingerville South, 1839, extant
• Exchange Buildings, 1840, extant

Grainger, Dobson and Clayton, all deserve recognition for the creation of many of these streets and the centre of Newcastle in the Neoclassical style. Dobson provided much of the creative input to the scheme, whereas Grainger provided the essential drive to get the project completed. However, without Clayton’s influence, the scheme would not have been accepted in the first place.

John Dobson (architect)

John Dobson (1787 – 1865) was a English architect in the neoclassical tradition who as I found from researching into Grainger, is best known for designing Newcastle railway station but also for his work with Richard Grainger developing the centre of Newcastle in a neoclassical style. What I found rather interesting is that in 1824, several years before Grainger did, Dobson put forward plans to the council for the purchase and development property in the centre of Newcastle. Dobson proposed a Mansion House as a civic palace and grand squares linked by wide tree-lined streets. If Dobson’s scheme had been accepted it would have led to a city centre even more elegant than Grainger’s. However, Dobson’s plan was hugely expensive and he lacked financial backing. Grainger proved to have more business acumen in putting forward his own plans for Newcastle and getting them accepted.

Central Station, Newcastle Upon Tyne

John Clayton (Town Clerk)

John Clayton (1792 – 1890) was an antiquarian and town clerk of Newcastle upon Tyne. He also worked Grainger and Dobson to redevelop the centre of the city and Clayton Street is named after him.