Dedication of a Plaque to Thomas Witlam Atkinson

Plaque in Cawthorne All Saints’ Church to commemorate work of Thomas Witlam Atkinson, organised by the family of the artist

On 12th July 2015, the family of Thomas Witlam Atkinson will dedicate a plaque in All Saints’ church Cawthorne to commemorate the work of the artist. Atkinson was also an architect, author and explorer in Siberia and Mongolia. He brought back many evocative paintings created on his 7 years of travels. However he started life very differently, as a stone mason in Cawthorne village and designed the tomb of Walter Spencer Stanhope in All Saints’ Church.

The event coincides with a visit of a descendant of Atkinson, travelling from Hawaii. Atkinson’s son Alatau settled there in 1868 and became a prominent citizen. He was an educationist and newspaper editor who was instrumental in the annexation of Hawaii as the 50th state of the USA.

Link to biography >>