George Henry Male Addison

George Henry Male Addison (1857–1922) was an Australian architect and artist who worked mainly in Brisbane. His best known works are the Mansions in George Street, the Albert Street Uniting Church, the Old Museum Building, and the mansion Cumbooquepa in South Brisbane. Many of his buildings are now heritage-listed.

Early life Addison was born on 23 March 1857 in Llanelly, Wales, the son of Edward James Addison (1820–1863), a Wesleyan minister and Jane Roswell née Male (1833–1860). His father undertook missionary work in West Africa but it damaged his health and he died in 1863 and Addison was raised by his maternal grandfather, Henry Male in Somerset. His sister, Emily Jane Addison (1855–?) worked as a governess to the family of Alexander McArthur in Brixton and, in 1834 married their son John Percival McArthur (1858–1901).

He was articled to architect Edmund Isles Hubbard at Rotherham and studied at the Royal Academy in London. building on the corner of Queen and Creek Streets, Brisbane (demolished 1976). He liked the climate and decided to stay, still working nominally for Oakden Addison and Kemp. but designing separately, finally setting up independently in 1892. His work in tis early period introduced the Queen Anne style influence to Queensland architecture. Later he went into partnership with his son George. His daughter Lily worked as a draftswoman and then architect in her father's firm; she was one of the earliest women to practice architecture in Australia.

Works His works included: The Albert Street Uniting Church, Brisbane, built in 1888–89 The villa Cliveden Mansions, built in 1888 at Spring Hill The villa Kirkston, built in 1888–89 at Windsor Extensive additions to the villa Stanley Hall at Clayfield, in 1889 The Mansions, 40 George Street, Brisbane built in 1889. Fernbrook, his home in Indooroopilly built c1889. Fernbrook was eventually demolished in the 1920s and the University of Queensland silver-lead mine resides on the land. The villa Cumbooquepa, built in 1890 at South Brisbane, now part of Somerville House School The Old Museum Building, Brisbane, originally an exhibition building and concert hall built in 1891 A religious building at All Hallows' School, a heritage-listed school at 547 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, built in 1915 Buildings at the Eagle Farm Racecourse including the totaliser building, the ticket offices and the latrines, built around 1913–1914 St Columba's Church, Wilston built in 1915 St Benedict's Catholic Church, 81 Mowbray Tce, East Brisbane built in 1917

For a number of years, he was in a partnership with Leslie Corrie as Addison and Corrie. Together they designed many prominent Brisbane buildings, including: Trustees Chambers, a heritage-listed bank at 43 Queen Street, Brisbane built in about 1900

Later life Addison was a chairman of the Brisbane Art Gallery. He was buried at the Toowong Cemetery.