Kingsley Henderson

Kingsley Anketell Henderson (15 December 1883 – 6 April 1942) was an Australian architect and businessman. He ran a successful firm in Melbourne that specialised in commercial buildings. He was involved in the creation of the United Australia Party (UAP), holding office in its organisational wing in Victoria, and served on the Malvern City Council.

Early life Henderson was born on 15 December 1883 in Brighton, Victoria. He was one of four children born to Mary Louisa (née Andrew, died October 1934), and Anketell Matthew Henderson (3 March 1853 – 1922). His mother was born in England and his father, also an architect, was born in Ireland and came out to Australia as a child and was educated at Scotch College and completed the Engineering degree with the University of Melbourne. He became a partner in the architectural firm of Reed, Henderson & Smart, who did work for the university and for the Bank of Australasia, later setting up on his own account with offices at 352 Collins Street. He also served as lecturer in architecture at the university from 1892 to 1916.

Henderson was a grandson of Rev. Anketell Matthew Henderson (1820–1876), an English Congregational minister later associated with the Independent church on Collins Street, Melbourne. The name "Anketell" honors an early benefactor of the Rev. Henderson.

Henderson was educated at Cumloden College in St Kilda East. He later took classes at the University of Melbourne and Melbourne Technical College.

Career

Henderson was articled to his father in 1901 and in 1906 joined him as a partner, with the firm generally known as A. & K. Henderson.

Henderson "placed great emphasis on the functional and commercial aspect of city office planning, being especially adept at achieving the maximum natural light and space to let". Henderson himself specialised in the functional requirements of office buildings, with others contributing the façades. Philip Hudson had been articled to Anketell Henderson in the early 1900s.

He had a long history of involvement in the organisational wings of various movements opposed to the Australian Labor Party (ALP). He was a fiscal conservative, opposing default on government debts during the Great Depression. In February 1931, Henderson became secretary of the Australian Citizens' League, which soon became the Victorian branch of the All for Australia League and claimed 70,000 members. He was the final member of the so-called "Group of Six" that helped convince former ALP minister Joseph Lyons to lead a new political party, the United Australia Party (UAP). He became a close friend of Lyons, prime minister from 1932, and Lyons frequently stayed with him when he visited Melbourne. He was a pallbearer at Lyons' funeral in 1939.

After the formation of the UAP, Henderson became president of the party's Victorian branch. However, he resigned the position after only a few months in protest at the parliamentary UAP's decision to accept the Premiers' Plan. He was reportedly asked to stand as a candidate at the 1935 Fawkner by-election, but declined for business reasons.

Personal life Henderson married Ruve Cutts Poolman in 1909. The couple had no children.

Henderson was appointed Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG) in 1937. (fellow "Savage")