Leslie Wilkinson

• Name — Leslie Wilkinson • Born — 12 October 1882 • Birthplace — New Southgate, Middlesex, England • Died — 20 September 1973 • Place of death — Vaucluse, New South Wales, Australia • Other Names — Wilkie, Prof • Education — Royal Academy of Arts • Spouse — Bridget Wilkinson • Children — George Wilkinson • Awards — Sulman Medal, 1934 & 1942 • Practice — University of Sydney • Significant Buildings — Quadrangle Building, Ways Terrace, Wiston Gardens • Significant Projects — University of Sydney masterplan

Leslie Wilkinson was born on 12 October 1882 at New Southgate, Middlesex, England, the younger son of commercial clerk Edward Henry Wilkinson. In his early years, he studied at St Edward's School, Oxford and at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, winning several awards, including the touring scholarship (1904,1905) that allowed him to travel to France, Italy, Spain and England. It was in these early years that his love of Mediterranean and Italian Renaissance architecture developed. In 1903, Wilkinson had become assistant to noted architect James Gibson, while also studying and entering competitions.

Wilkinson was an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1907. In 1908, he became Professor F. M. Simpson's assistant at University College in London and later became assistant professor. He enlisted in the Territorial Force during World War I. In 1918, he was appointed to the new chair of architecture (within the faculty of science) at the University of Sydney. Arriving later that year, he threw his energy into the creation of a faculty of architecture; succeeding in 1920, he became the first dean of the school that became known as the University of Sydney School of Architecture, Design and Planning. Throughout his time in Australia, Wilkinson also continued to practise as an architect. He was appointed architect for the University of Sydney in 1919, where he contributed to the university's master plan (inspired by the Walter Burley Griffin's previous unused 1915 campus masterplan), as well as a number of building projects. He also designed over 30 commissions for houses and flats, and some church designs. In 1933, he became president of the newly formed New South Wales state chapter of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA), and in 1937 was a founding member of Robert Menzies' anti-modernist Australian Academy of Artists.

• Illustration — Sydney University Main Quadrangle Panorama by Toby Hudson • Masterplan for the University of Sydney, 1920—1927 • Completion of Edmund Blacket's Gothic Revival Quadrangle, University of Sydney, 1919 • Chemistry Building, University of Sydney, 1923 • Physics Building, University of Sydney, 1926 • Illustration — Sydney University Physics Building by Toby Hudson

• Wilkinson Residence, Greenway, 1923 • Verona Residence, Double Bay, 1923 • Silchester, Bellevue Hill, 1930 • Greyleaves, Burradoo, 1934 • Samuel Hordern's Residence, Bellevue Hill, 1936 • Maiala, Warrawee, 1937 • Hazeldean, Cooma, 1937 • Markdale Homestead, Crookwell, 1951

• St John's Church of England (now Anglican), Penshurst, Sydney • Illustration — St John's Church of England, Penshurst • St John's Church of England (now Anglican), Maroubra, Sydney • St Paul's Church, Harris Park, Sydney • Completion of Blacket's St Michael's Anglican Church, Vaucluse • Original design of Ss Peter and Paul Cathedral, Dogura, Papua New Guinea, 1932, which was much modified by a local lay worker, Robert Jones