Towering
success of stonemason's son
The
stonemason’s son who came to Leeds on a scholarship
and became one of the University’s most significant
benefactors was remembered this month on the 50th anniversary
of the building bearing his name.
Legacy
lives on – John Fisher and Bill Hudson in front of
the Parkinson Tower
After
seeing plans for new University buildings in 1936, former
student Frank Parkinson – by then one of West Yorkshire’s
most successful businessmen – was so impressed that
he offered to pay for the entrance hall and tower. The
Parkinson Tower has been a major Leeds landmark and a
defining feature of the University since its opening on
9 November 1951.
Fifty
years on, the Frank Parkinson Yorkshire Trust has presented
the University with £100,000 to equip new facilities –
the Frank Parkinson Tissue Engineering Laboratory –
for research into tissue repair and replacement.
Trust
chairman Bill Hudson said: "The Trust’s aims include
the promotion of education in the region and, because
of Frank Parkinson’s links with the University, we
are very pleased to make this donation."
Pro-Vice-Chancellor
for research and project leader Professor John Fisher
said: "We are delighted to be building on Frank Parkinson’s
historic association with the University."
Born
in 1887, Frank Parkinson began his studies in electrical
engineering in 1908 at the University, then known as the
Yorkshire College. Originally from Guiseley, he first
worked for local firm Rhodes Motors, before forming Crompton
Parkinson in 1927. The company pioneered the modern light
bulb, making Parkinson a millionaire.
Having
benefited himself from a Baines scholarship, Parkinson
wanted to encourage more students to enter higher education.
Research students continue to benefit from the Baines,
Crockatt and Rutson scholarships, to which he contributed.
See
the press release
