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Thomas Taylor (1808–1892), JP, of Wigan

Image credit: Wigan Arts and Heritage Service

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Thomas Taylor was a wealthy cotton mill owner (Taylor Brothers Ltd, Victoria Mills, Wallgate, Wigan) and prominent citizen. He became a JP in 1848 and Chief Magistrate and Mayor for the town in 1854. In 1873 he generously gave £12,000 to Wigan Council to buy the land and pay for the building of Wigan Free Public Library. The town had been trying to raise funds for a library for several years. The library was designed by Alfred Waterhouse and opened to the public in 1878. The building, which remains largely in its original condition, now houses the Museum of Wigan Life. In later life Thomas moved to Oxfordshire, where he amassed a large art collection that was sold in 1888 for £34,000. This portrait was presented to Wigan by his widow on the occasion of the opening of an extension to the library for use as a newspaper reading room.

Museum of Wigan Life

Wigan

Title

Thomas Taylor (1808–1892), JP, of Wigan

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 125 x W 90 cm

Accession number

A92.001

Acquisition method

gift, 1892

Work type

Painting

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Museum of Wigan Life

Library Street, Wigan, Greater Manchester WN1 1NU England

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