Ask the Archivist: How Did the Second Viscount Leverhulme Support Bolton School?

Whilst this is perhaps understandable, it would be remiss not to acknowledge the significant contributions made by subsequent generations of the Leverhulme family. This article will focus on the significant support given by his only son, William Hulme Lever, who became the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme after his father’s death in 1925. William Hulme Lever was born on Palm Sunday, 25th March 1888 and, like his father before him, was given his mother’s maiden name as a second name. He was educated at Eton College and graduated from Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1913 with a Master of Arts Degree. His first marriage was to Marion Beatrice Smith on 24th April 1912 and they had two daughters and one son. The son was Philip William Bryce Lever, who later became the 3rd Viscount Leverhulme. His second wife was Winifred Agnes Lee-Morris whom he married on 20th January 1937. He was appointed a Governor of Bolton School after his father’s death on 7th May 1925 and remained a Governor until his own death in 1949, being Chairman for the last nine years of his life. When he joined the Governing Body the School finances had been under pressure for some years. War time had proved difficult for the School and this had resulted in operating deficits being reported, which had in turn prevented building work starting. Such was the problem that, in 1916, the Trustees decided to use the income arising from the original Leverhulme endowment to help meet the School’s day-to-day operating costs until 1922. The deficits continued after the War and in 1921 the hard decision was taken to increase fees. For his part, Lord Leverhulme doubled his endowment so that it would henceforth generate £20,000 per year. The original building costs had been estimated as being between £135,000 and £150,000, but had now increased to £180,000. Lord Leverhulme then signed a contract in 1923 whereby he would contribute £2 for every £1 spent on the new buildings by the Trustees up to a maximum of £125,000. This was an extraordinarily generous action, given the financial pressures Lever Brothers were experiencing at the time, not least because of the ill-advised purchase of the Niger Company in Nigeria. Building work therefore began at last and by the time the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme became a Governor in 1925, the Great Halls and Libraries of both Divisions were under construction, as was a classroom wing – the South Wing – for the Girls’ Division.

There was then a potential impasse because the Executors of Lord Leverhulme’s Will tried to disassociate themselves from his commitment to fund two thirds of the ongoing building costs because The Right Hon of the severe financial pressure William Hulme, still being faced by Lever Brothers. 2nd Viscount The situation was only resolved Leverhulme when the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme donated £50,000 of his own money to keep his father’s vision moving forward. It can thus be argued that, but for the largesse of the 2nd Viscount, the building programme may well have ground to a halt. The 2nd Viscount’s donation enabled building to continue at a controlled pace, with the Girls’ Division being the first to benefit from new buildings when their South Wing was competed together with their Great Hall, Gymnasium and Library. It was officially opened by the wife of the 2nd Viscount Leverhulme on 25th September 1928. The Boys took possession of their new Great Hall and Library in 1929 at a special Prize Distribution attended by the 2nd Viscount. Their Gymnasium came into use shortly afterwards, but it was not until January 1932 when the Boys’ Division South Wing was opened that they had new classrooms. Until this time the boys continued to be housed in Westbourne, although part of that building had to be demolished to allow the Great Hall section to be built. More operating deficits were recorded in the depression of the 1930s and the next step forward came with the building The 2nd of the Girls’ Division West Wing which opened in September Viscount with 1934, with its science and domestic science rooms, form Mrs Atherton, School rooms, dining room and kitchen. Governor, 1937 There would then be a gap of almost 20 years before more buildings were completed, by which time the 3rd Viscount Leverhulme had become Chairman of Governors. The 2nd Viscount was taken ill on a train in Banff, Alberta, in 1949 during the latter stages of a world tour and died on 27th May 1949. He had shared and continued his father’s commitment to the School and, like his father, deserves our immense gratitude.

The 2nd Viscount Leverhulme in Library with Miss Varley and guests

If you have a question about the School’s history or would like to donate to the Archive any photographs or artefacts from your time at School, Eric would love to hear from you. E: development@boltonschool.org