Lancashire Lantern: Lancashire Pioneers

Part of the Lancashire Lantern network, the Pioneers gives details of people who were famous local people in science, technology and innovation. These pioneers were either born in Lancashire or their endeavours made a significant contribution to the development of the County.

Click the image of William Pilkington at any time to return to this pageWilliam Windle Pilkington - Philanthropist

 

 

 

William Windle Pilkington was not only a brilliant glassmaker but played a prominent part in the religious, political, municipal and philanthropic activities of St Helens and Lancashire.

He was:

  • A member and trustee of the St Helens Congregational Church and chairman of the Congregational Union

  • Co founder of the Ragged School where he taught with his wife on Sunday afternoons

  • Co founder of an infant school providing land in Knowsley Road

  • Founder of the YMCA in St Helens

  • Supporter of St Helens hospital and founder of the St Helens District Nursing Association

  • Town Councillor 1870 - 1890

  • Mayor 1901 - 1902

  • Alderman 1903

  • Made a freeman of the borough in 1905. He donated a statue of Queen Victoria to the town on the same day. This statue still stands outside St Helens town Hall

  • County Magistrate 1869

  • Borough Magistrate 1882

  • Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire 1908

  • Member of the 47th Lancashire Rifle Volunteers (later the 5th Battalion South Lancashire Regiment) and was Colonel of the St Helens division 1889 -1902

 

 

Previous page

Next Page