The Times/1901/Obituary/Arthur Cates

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Obituary.

The death took place, at his residence, 12, York-terrace, Regent's park, on Wednesday, of Mr. Arthur Cates, the well-known architext, formerly of 7, Whitehall-yard. After leaving King's College School, Mr. Cates became a pupil of Mr. Sydney Smirke, R.A., and afterwards confidential assistant to Sir James Pennethorne. In 1859 he entered upon general practice as an architect, and continued in the active pursuit of his profession until 1898, when he retired. As an architect he acted for the Inner Temple and other public bodies and estates, and from 1870 till his retirement he was architectural adviser to the Commissioners of Woods and Forest for the Crown estates in London. From an early period of his career he was largely engaged as a referee and arbitrator in cases arising out of building and property disputes; and in later years his experience and authority in this branch of professional work were recognized by his appointment as chairman of the Tribunal of Appeal under the Acts of 1890 and 1893 and the London Building Act of 1894. Mr. Cates gave a large amount of time and attention to the affairs of the societies connected with his profession. He was for many years a member of council, and for four years vice-president of the Royal Institute of British Architects, secretary to the Society of British Archæology¹, a vice-president in 1891 of the British Archæological Association, chairman of the board of examiners in architecture from 1890 to 1906, and hon. secretary to the Architectural Publication Society. While holding the last-mentioned office Mr. Cates completed the production of the Dictionary of Architecture, at a cost of over £10,000. Besides his contributions to the work named and to the Dictionary of National Biography, Mr. Cates was the author of numerous communications to professional journals in support of his efforts to improve architectural education and to promote the establishment of professional examinations, in which he was ultimately successful. He was 72 years of age.

1 The late Mr. Arthur Cates was at one time secretary to the Society of Biblical Archæology, not of British Archæology, as was erroneously stated on Friday.