Dictionary of National Biography, 1912 supplement/Drew, Thomas

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DREW, Sir THOMAS (1838–1910), architect, born at Victoria Place, Belfast, on 18 Sept. 1838, came of a good Limerick family. His father. Thomas Drew, D.D. (d. 1870), a militant Orange divine, was long rector of Christ Church, Belfast, subsequently becoming rector of Seaforde, co. Down, and precentor of Down cathedral. A sister Catherine (d. Aug. 1901) was a well-known journalist in London. Thomas was educated in his native town, and in 1854 was articled to (Sir) Charles Lanyon, C.E. [q. v.], and showed great aptitude for architectural design. In 1862 he entered the office, in Dublin, of William George Murray, R.H.A. Next year he began to write for the 'Dublin Builder,' and subsequently acted for a tune as editor, introducing antiquarian features. In 1864 he was awarded a special silver medal by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland for his set of measured drawings of the Portlester chapel in St. Audoen's Church, Dublin. In 1870 he was elected associate of the Royal Hibernian Academy and full member next year. In 1875 he began independent practice in North Frederick Street, Dublin, subsequently removing to Upper Sackville Street, and again to No. 6 St. Stephen's Green, a house designed by himself. His office was latterly at 22 Clare Street. In 1889 Drew was elected fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and in 1892 president of the Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland. A fluent and witty speaker, he delivered from 1891 an annual lecture on St. Stephen's Day, in Christ Church cathedral, on its history and fabric. He was also instrumental in establishing in the crypt a museum of Irish antiquities. In 1895-7 he was president of the Royal Society of the Antiquaries of Ireland.

Drew was elected tenth president of the Royal Hibernian Academy on 18 Oct. 1900, on the death of Sir Thomas Farrell, the sculptor, and was knighted by the lord- lieutenant of Ireland, Earl Cadogan. In 1905 Dublin University gave him the honorary degree of LL.D.

Drew died in Dublin on 13 March 1910, and was buried in Dean's Grange cemetery, co. Dublin. He married in 1871 Adelaide Anne, daughter of William Murray, formerly architect of the board of works, Ireland, and a collateral descendant of Francis Johnston [q. v.] founder of the Royal Hibernian Academy. She survived him. Among the chief buildings designed by Drew were the Rathmines town hall, the law library at the Four Courts, Dublin, and Clontarf presbyterian church in 1889, the Ulster bank, College Green, Dublin, in 1891 , and Belfast cathedral in 1899. He was consulting architect to the three principal cathedrals of Ireland, and also restored Waterford cathedral. In ecclesiastical design he was noted for 'a robust and virile Gothic.' He built for himself a noble residence, Gortnadrew, near Monkstown, where he formed a good collection of miniatures, Waterford glass, and Georgian mantels.

[Irish Builder and Engineer, Jubilee issue, 1909, and 19 March and 2 April 1910; Belfast Newsletter, Irish Times, 14 March 1910.]