Edward Milner (20 January 1819 – 26 March 1884) was an English landscape architect.
Early life and career
Edward Milner was born in Darley, Derbyshire, the eldest child of Henry Milner and Mary née Scales. Henry Milner was employed at Chatsworth by William Cavendish, 6th Duke of Devonshire, as a gardener and porter. Edward was educated at Bakewell Grammar School and was then apprenticed to Chatsworth's head gardener, Joseph Paxton. In 1841 he continued his studies in Paris at the Jardin des Plantes and returned home to become Paxton's assistant. He worked with Paxton in developing and managing Princes Park, Liverpool and assisted him at Osmaston Manor in Derbyshire. In 1847 he laid out the Italian Garden at Tatton Park, Cheshire, which had been designed by Paxton. When Paxton re-erected The Crystal Palace in Penge Park, Sydenham in 1852, Milner was appointed as the superintendent of works. He also worked for Paxton in creating the People's Park, Halifax for Francis Crossley. ()
Independent career
From the mid-1850s, Milner worked as an independent landscape gardener. He received commissions for work in England and Wales, including designing three public parks in Preston, Lancashire. These parks were constructed as part of a scheme for relieving unemployment caused by the cotton famine in the 1860s. He also designed gardens in Germany and Denmark. In 1881 he became principal of the Crystal Palace School of Gardening, established by the Crystal Palace Company.
Works as an independent designer
This is an incomplete list.
Location House/Garden Details Date RefsLlanfairfechan, ConwyBryn y Neuadd Hospitalnr Lincoln, LincolnshireHartsholme HallFor Joseph Shuttleworth, inventor1862Heighington, LincolnshireHeighington HallFor Alfred Shuttleworth, industrialistWhite, William. History, Gazetteer and Directory of Lincolnshire, and the City and Diocese of Lincoln. W. White, 1872, ed. 3, p.648nr Matlock, DerbyshireStancliffe HallFor Sir Joseph Whitworth, inventorTal-y-Cafn, ConwyBodnant Garden (original garden)For H. D. Pochin, ChemistBerriew, PowysGlansevern Hall & Gardens (original walled garden)For Arthur Davies Owen, 1880nr Burton upon Trent, StaffordshireRangemore HallFor M. T. Bass, brewer and philanthropistnr Shaftesbury, DorsetIwerne MinsterFor G. G. Glyn, Lord Wolverton, Whip and politicianBirmingham, West MidlandsHighburyFor Joseph Chamberlain, statesmanBathLocksbrook CemeteryDingestow, MonmouthshireDingestow CourtFor Samuel BosanquetPeterborough, CambridgeshireElton HallHalifax, West YorkshireStoney Royd CemeteryOpened 1861Halifax, West YorkshirePeople's Park, HalifaxHorsham, West SussexWarnham CourtFor Sir J. H. Pelly's son, Sir John Pelly (2nd Bt.)1864Preston, LancashireMoor ParkOpened 1867Preston, LancashireMiller ParkOpened 1867Preston, LancashireAvenham ParkOpened 1867Buxton, DerbyshirePavilion GardensFor the Buxton Improvements Company on behalf of the 7th Duke of Devonshire1871Lincoln, LincolnshireLincoln ArboretumOpened 1872Bromyard, HerefordshireBredenbury Courtc. 1876Halifax, West YorkshireShroggs ParkFor Colonel Edward AkroydOpened 1881Morpeth, NorthumberlandWallington HallA parterre1882Westphalia, GermanyWildpark DülmenFor the House of CroÿWestphalia, GermanySchloss Anholt, BorkenFor the mediatised Prince of Salm-Salm DenmarkKnutenborg ParkFor Count E. C. KnuthBelgiumChâteau MirandaFor the Liedekerke-Beaufort family1866
Personal life
In 1844 he married Elizabeth Mary Kelly of Liverpool with whom he had 11 children. The family moved to Norwood, London, and later to Dulwich Wood Park. Milner appointed his son Henry Ernest as his principal assistant. Edward Milner founded the garden design and landscape architecture firm of Milner-White. He died at his home in 1884 leaving an estate valued at slightly over £8,000 (£ today).
References
Further reading