Parkinson Building

I was looking through the articles on Leeds on the Erasmusu website and realised that there's hardly any content about this marvellous city in Northern England, something which seems a huge shame to me. So, aside from the entries I've been writing, I've decided to do my bit so that Leeds might become a little more well-known.

I'd like to expand the 'Places' section by writing about one of the most significant places in Leeds for me, the Parkinson Building. This building, which I've mentioned already in 'Más que una universidad (More than a University)', ìs the emblem of the University of Leeds and is also without a doubt one of the most important ones of the city.

The Parkinson Building was officially opened in 1951 and its construction was funded by Frank Parkinson, a rich benefactor who died just five years before the building was opened. Parkinson was born in Guiseley (a small town within the district of Leeds) in 1887. He studied electrical engineering at the university before working for a local business. He later founded his own gas lamp company, Crompton Parkinson, and remained director of this his whole life long, becoming one of the most successful businessmen in the history of the city.

The building is very impressive and serves as the entrance to the Brotherton Library (which opened its doors in 1936) and to the rest of the university campus. One of the most interesting things about the Brotherton Library is that it contains one of William Shakespeare's first manuscripts, entitled 'Comedies, Histories and Tragedies'.

The Parkinson Building also serves as the entrance to the University of Leeds Art Collection and Gallery, a free museum displaying a wide range of paintings, drawings, sculptures, ceramics and photos, in addition to interesting temporary exhibitions from time to time. Apart from the Brotherton Library and art collection, the Parkinson Building houses many classes attended daily by the students.

Aside from being an educational building, the Parkinson Building is a meeting place for all the students of the university, since the building can be seen from almost anywhere in the city and if you don't know Leeds very well, you can always use it as a point of reference as everyone knows where it is.

Well then, a bit of history never did anyone any harm: that's how you get to know places better. I hope you've found this interesting and as always, feel free to comment whatever you like.

Bye for now!