William Gay (landscape gardener and surveyor)

William Gay
Born 1814
Died 1893
Occupation Landscape gardener and surveyor

William Gay (1814–1893)[1] was a British landscape gardener and surveyor, and designed parks and cemeteries.

Career

William Gay moved to Leicester where in 1849 he was clerk of work at Leicester Cemetery then in 1852 registrar.[1] While at Leicester, William was approached by the Bradford Cemetery Company to become Bradford Cemetery's first registrar.[1] William moved from Leicester to Bradford[2] to design and lay out Undercliffe Cemetery over the years 1852 to 1854[3] and he lived at 43 Charnwood Road, Undercliffe.[1]

The surveyor of Chorley cemetery James Derham, consulted William Gay who went on to prepare the design of the cemetery grounds using his favourite devices of a promenade, viewing platform, and raised and sunken terraces.[3] In 1867 William laid out Belfast City cemetery in the form of a bell, possibly reflecting the Bel in Belfast.[4] and the cemetery opened on 1 August 1869. William also designed and laid out Roberts Park, Saltaire for (Sir) Titus Salt which opened in 1871. In 1875 William landscaped Lawnswood Cemetery in Leeds and assisted with building design – The cemetery opened in 1875.[5][6]

Personal Life

William Gay died in 1893 and is buried in Undercliffe Cemetery, Bradford.[1] His monument describes his occupation as 'former landscape gardener and surveyor'.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Undercliffe Cemetery – Hertage Trail". Flickr. Retrieved 16 October 2013.
  2. ↑ Gibson, Kathryn. "Grave Undertakings....". Institute of Historic Building Conversation. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  3. 1 2 Harrison, John (10 September 2011). "Chorley Heritage Day – Chorley Cemetery tour". Chorley Historical and Archaeological Society. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  4. ↑ "Belfast City Cemetery". Belfast City Council. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  5. ↑ "The Register of Parks and Gardens: Cemeteries" (PDF). English Heritage. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
  6. ↑ "West Yorkshire Group Programme 2012–13" (PDF). The Victorian Society. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
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