William H. Wood was an architect who began his career with the Newcastle upon Tyne architects Oliver & Leeson. He eventually rose to become a partner in the firm, which was thereafter known as Oliver, Leeson & Wood. In 1910 Wood began negotiating with Charles Hodgson Fowler, (whose posts included that of Durham Cathedral architect and who did much work for the diocese of Durham), with a view to becoming a partner in the practice which Hodgson Fowler then operated from The College, Durham; both Hodgson Fowler and Wood specialised in ecclesiastical and school architecture. Hodgson Fowler, however, died in December 1910, whereupon Wood took over his practice entirely. At first he operated from both Newcastle upon Tyne and Durham but by mid-1912 he was apparently based solely at 20 Collingwood Street, Newcastle upon Tyne. In January 1927 Wood took on a partner, Edmund Oakley, and the practice, now trading as Wood & Oakley, moved to 9 Eldon Square, Newcastle upon Tyne. References to Wood & Oakley in trade directories cease after 1939, in which year Wood may have retired or died.
Names of architectural practices written on the plans: Oliver, Leeson & Wood; W.H. Wood, architect, of Newcastle upon Tyne, successor to the late Charles Hodgson Fowler of Durham and Newcastle upon Tyne; Wood & Oakley of Newcastle upon Tyne; and Joseph Potts & Son, architects and surveyors, 57 John Street, Sunderland, Co. Durham.
From the guide to the Wood Plans and Drawings, 19th - 20th centuries, (Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections)
