William Newton

Most of his buildings are stately homes in rural Northumberland, but he also created some interesting public works in Newcastle: The Assembly Rooms, St Anne's Church, the refaced Guildhall, and elegant private housing in Charlotte Square. He was the son of Robert Newton, a builder. He married Dorothy Bell and lived for 28 years at 1, Charlotte Square, Newcastle. His big break came when he was appointed architect for The Assembly Rooms in Newcastle in 1774; as a result he became favoured by the Northumbrian élite. He has been described as 'the first truly Nothumbrian architect'.

• Illustration — William Newton Plaque at No 1 Charlotte Square • The Infirmary, Newcastle 1751-2 (demolished 1954) • Capheaton Hall (North front) 1758 • St Mungo, Simonburn (rebuilding of aisles) 1763 • St Ann's Church, Newcastle 1764 • Charlotte Square, Newcastle 1770 • Kielder Castle 1772 • Assembly Rooms, Newcastle 1774-6 • Killingworth House (probably added wings) 1770s (demolished 1954) • The Castle, Castle Eden c1775 • Shawdon Hall 1779 (probable attribution) • Backworth Hall 1780 • Acton House 1781 • Charlton Hall 1782 • Howick Hall 1782 • Heaton Hall (refronting) 1783 (demolished 1933) • The Temple, Heaton Hall (now at Blagdon Hall) 1783 • St Nicholas Cathedral, Newcastle 1783-7, (internal restoration), with David Stephenson • Whitfield Hall 1785 • Hebburn Hall 1790 • St Bartholomew's Church, Longbenton 1790 • Dissington Hall 1794 • Guildhall, Newcastle upon Tyne 1794, (refronting), with David Stephenson • Hesleyside Hall (East front) 1796 • Lemmington Hall (alterations) • Fenham Hall (attribution and date uncertain) • Rathfarnham Castle, Dublin, Ireland (1769) - various works McCombie and Grundy have used stylistic evidence to suggest some additional attributions: • The Lodge, Capheaton village • Craster Tower (South wing) 1769 • Close House 1779 • Newton Hall • Togston Hall Faulkner and Lowery make one additional suggestion: • Broome Park, Edlingham (demolished 1953)