James Fawcett
James W. Fawcett (1863-1934) of Fawcett and Ashworth
James Fawcett was an English born architect who was first hired by Victoria Railways in 1889. There he acted as an architectural draughtsman, and was most probably involved in the plans for Flinders Street Railway Station that had previously been rejected by the Parliamentary Committee.
Fawcett was also a contributor to the Arts and Crafts Movement that was embraced by Australia at the time, and he was also a “foundation member of Australia’s first sculptor’s society – the Yarra Sculptor’s Society.”
As a metal worker, Fawcett was also involved with the firm Wunderlich Ltd, who were “Victoria’s major supplier of architectural terracotta and pressed metal architectural features”. Fawcett designed the pressed metal ceilings that were heavily incorporated in the construction of Flinders Street Station, and can still be seen today throughout the building. His metal work was in the Art Nouveau style, which is also present in his jewellery and clock design.