Alfred Rimmer {1829-1893}
Alfred Rimmer was born on 9th August 1829 in Liverpool. He was the son of timber merchant Thomas Rimmer, and his wife Mary (nee Burroughs). Having a fairly affluent father, he was fortunate to receive an education at a time when it was not common, and attended Liverpool College. Having completed his education he was articled to an architect named Cunningham, and initially practiced as an architect. He began to write about his favourite subjects at a relatively early age" and published' Ancient Halls of Lancashire From original Drawings' in 1852. He also contributed articles to 'The Transactions of the Historical Society of Lancashire and Cheshire' between 1850 and 1852.
On 5th August 1858, Alfred married Frances Parkinson, daughter of engineer John Parkinson, at Childwall Parish Church. They were to go on and have five sons and two daughters. In late 1858, Alfred and Frances moved to Canada. Alfred engaged in trade and became Consul General for Denmark and a Justice of the Peace in Montreal. He returned to England in 1870, and the family settled in Chester. It was here that his most productive period as an author and illustrator began.
In 1872 Alfred illustrated 'Chester As It Was' by Reverend J.S.Howson, as well as illustrating Howson's 'The River Dee: It's Aspect and History' in 1875. Howson returned the favour by writing the preface to Rimmer's own book 'Ancient Streets and Homesteads of England' (1875).
Other works by Alfred Rimmer include 'Architectural Drawing Studies Intended as a Simple Guide to the Knowledge of Ancient Styles of Architecture' (1874), 'Ancient Stone Crosses of England' (1875), 'Pleasant Spots around Oxford' (1878), 'Our Old Country Towns' (1881), 'Rambles about Eton and Harrow' (1882), 'The Early Home of Prince Albert' (1882), 'About England with Dickens' (1883), 'Stonyhurst Illustrated'(1884), 'Summer Rambles Round Manchester' (1887), 'A History of Shrewsbury School' (1889) and 'Rambles Round Rugby' (1892).
Alfred illustrated nearly all of his own books, and a single book could sometimes feature up to 150 illustrations. His early career as an architect certainly informed his art, as buildings and structures were usually a dominant feature of his work.
Considered by one commentator to have been 'the greatest authority on the market and church crosses in England', Alfred Rimmer died on 27th October 1893.
