Thomas Lewis Banks was born in Cockermouth,Cumberland England in 1842 and was articled to James Glodon Stapleton (1833-?) from 1860. In 1869-70 he travelled on the Continent. Following his return he settled in London and in 1871 established his own practice in London and Whitehaven, Cumberland. From 1884 to 1888 he was in partnership with Charles Harrison Townsend (1851-1928).
Banks's address was given as 23 Finsbry Circus, London in 1872 and 1885; 22 Lowther Street, Whitehaven, Cumberland in 1886; and 71A Queen Victoria Street, London in 1905. He died on 28 April 1920. His address ar the time of his death was Hamesbest, Tedidy Terrace, Falmouth, Cornwall
Projects by Thomas Lewis Banks incuded United Reformed Church, Hatfield Heath, Essex (1875); and Harrington Infant School, Workington, Cumbria (1875). Projects by Banks & Townsend included a large house in West Hartlepool (1884); Upton Congregational Church in Forest Gate (1884); and a mission room at Lampleigh, Kirkland, Cumberland (1886).
Armstrong, Barrie and Armstrong, Wendy. The Arts and Crafts movement in the North West of England: a handbook. Wetherby, England: Oblong Creative Ltd., 2006
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 118, 4 June 1920 p. 656
‘Obituary’. Royal Institute of British Architects Journal vol. 27, 1920 p. 391