Reference
FDB
Title
Franklin, Deacon, and Briars, architects and surveyors of Luton
Date free text
1871-1972
Production date
From: 1871 To: 1972
Admin/biog history
Arthur Edward Anscombe (1862-1941) was born and lived in Harpenden. In about 1902 he went into partnership with architect Benjamin Belgrove Franklin and they worked from 21 Market Hill. Anscombe was still at the same address with Franklin in 1910 although the directory for this year lists them separately rather than as the firm of Anscombe & Franklin and after this date Anscombe no longer appears in directories for Luton.
Franklin was in partnership with Basil C Deacon from 1913-1928. From 1920 the company were at 33 King Street. In 1928 Deacon left Franklin to become a partner in a Bedford company, Deacon & Gude.
Franklin worked as BB Franklin from 1928-1939.
In 1939 he entered partnership with Briars before retiring and leaving the company to be run by others, as Franklin & Briars the company appear to have acted only as surveyors and latterly as estate agents rather than architects, at least that is how they are listed in Luton directories from 1958-1968. Victor Gedge was articled to Deacon 1922- 1927.Assistant to Deacon 1927-1929, assistant to Franklin 1929-1930 before setting up his own practice. The company finally closed in about 1978.
Scope and Content
The collection as a whole is a very complete business record of an architect and surveyor practice. The collection contains: architectural drawings, surveys, maps of Luton developments, company accounts, correspondence, cash books, ledgers and minute books.
Archival history
Collection purchased by Luton Museum in 1980 with grant aid. Transferred on loan to Bedfordshire Archives in 2013-14.
Loan status
TOCATawaiting cataloguing
Reference
Level of description
fonds