Liverpool architect, surveyor and local historian, born on 2 December 1805. He was the son of a timber merchant William Picton and grandson of Thomas Dakin of Warrington, glass manufacturer and Methodist local preacher. In his youth he belonged to the Leeds Street WM chapel and was librarian at the Sunday School there; but at various times he was connected with the Methodists, Baptists and Independents and ultimately became an Anglican. The Liverpool chapels for which he was responsible included Pleasant Street WMA (1839), Richmond Baptist (1864-65), The Temple, Dale Street (1864-65) and Victoria WM, Crosshall Street (1878-80). He joined the WMA in 1835 and was assistant editor of the Watchman's Lantern.

A Liberal with imperialistic views, he was elected to the Liverpool Council in 1849. As an advocate of free libraries, he was chairman of the Libraries Committee for almost 40 years. The Picton Reading Room (1875-79) was named after him in 1881 and in 1884 he presented the Picton Clock Tower at Wavertree in memory of his wife Sarah Pooley, whom he married in 1828. He published widely on scientific, linguistic and historical subjects, including An Architectural History of Liverpool (1858) andMemorials of Liverpool (1873). He was knighted in 1881 and died on 15 July 1889 at his home, 'Sandy Knowe', Wavertree, which he had designed in 1848 and which became an IM church in the early 1930s.

His son William Henry Picton (1836 or 1837-1900) was also an architect. His sister Susannah Picton (d.1850) married William Bramwell, grandson of the Rev. William Bramwell.

Entry written by: DCD
Category: Person
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