Thomas Hawksley was a renowned nineteenth century water engineer and was born in Arnot Hill House on 12th July 1807, the son of John Hawksley and Sarah Thompson. When he was almost fourteen years old he attended the Free Grammar School, but left after only a year to be articled to Architect Edward Staveley. Staveley’s practice was commissioned to design a waterworks near Trent Bridge for the new Nottingham Trent Water Company and in 1830 Thomas was appointed as Engineer. His design included a collection tank, pumping station, pumping main and reservoir located on The Ropewalk in the town. The works supplied water under constant pressure for 24 hours a day, the first time this had been achieved, considerably improving the health and lives of the people of Nottingham, notably by removing the threat of diseases like cholera.

Hawksley gained national prominence in 1843/44 as a leading witness to the Commissioners Enquiry into “The State of Large Towns. He argued for a constant water supply, adequate drainage and decent housing, He and others successfully pressed for the use of common land around Nottingham to eliminate over crowded slums. In his long career he was involved in over 150 waterworks installing his constant pressure system saving countless lives in Britain and around the world. He died 15 September 1893 at the age of 86.

Photo from Pete Davies.