William John Palmer-Jones [also known as W.J. Palmer-Jones and W.J. Palmer Jones] was born William John Jones* in Hartford, Herefordshire, England, on 16 December 1887 and was articled to Smith & Brewer in London. He also studied architecture at the Architectural Association Schools in London (1906-08) and printmaking at the Central School of Arts and Crafts in London. He subsequently worked as an architect and was at one time in partnership with Thomas Francis Wiltshire Grant.
From 1908 to 1912 Palmer-Jones was Architect to the Egyptian Expedition of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, for four years. He was also temporary draughtsman at H.M. Office of Works.
In addition to his work as an architect, Palmer-Jones also worked as a painter, illustrator, lithographer, poster designer and furniture designer. A white painted sideboard , an embroidery cabinet in stained birch, a piano case in stained birch, a wardrobe in stained American whitewood, a print cabinet in stained birch, a design for a dining room, and two wooden vase lamps designed by him are featured in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1920 (pp.59, 60, 63, 64, 68, 82); a photograph of a mahogany Aeolian Vocalion cabinet designed by him and executed by the Aeolian Co. is illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1922 (p.76); a photograph of a fireplace he designed for the Teale Fireplace Co. and drawings of a writing-desk in walnut on ebonised stand, red lacquer and gilt dressing-table and a bookcase in walnut, ebony and gilt designed by him are illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1923 (pp.79, 101); a black marble fireplace with aluminium inlay designed by him is illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1924 (p.67); a drawing of furniture in British Columbia hemlock and sequoia, designed by him is illustrated in 'The Studio Yearbook of Decorative Art' 1926 (p.113); photographs and ground- and first-floor plans of 'Kintail' in Churt, Surrey, designed by him are illustrated in 'Decorative Art' 1928 (pp.54, 90); a photograph of a drawing room at Shortheath Beacon, Farnham, Surrey, designed by him is illustrated in 'Decorative Art' 1929 (p.116); and a photograph, floor plan and brief description of 'Lumeah' in Churt, Surrey, designed by him are illustrated in 'Decorative Art' 1931 (p.16).
Palmer-Jones's work as an interior architect is illustrated in 'The Practical Book of Furnishing the Small House & Apartment' by Edward Stratton Holloway (London: J.B, Lippincott Company, 1922).
From 1912 onwards Palmer-Jones exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, the Walker Art Gallery in Liverpool, and elsewhere. During World War One he served in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and Royal Naval Air Service. He was also commissioned in the Egyptian Labour Corps. Palmer-Jones was the author of articles in 'The Builder', 'The Architectural Review', 'The Furnishing Trades Organiser', etc. He was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). He lived in London and died on 13 February 1974.
* He changed his surname to Palmer-Jones by deed poll on his marriage in September 1911
Architectural projects by Palmer-Jones included the Phipson Memorial, Brookwood Cemetery; two small houses in Gidea Park (in conjunction with Messrs C. Whitby & A.T. Phillips); headquarters for the Egyptian Exhibition, Metroplitan Museum of Art, New York at Luxor, Egypt; reconstruction and additions to 'The Old House' in Frensham, Surrey; alterations to Spreakley House in Frensham, Surrey; reconstruction and additions to 'Colesfield' in Frensham, Surrey; Forest Edge in Frensham, Surrey; alterations and additions to Spreakley Combe in Frensham, Surrey; a bedroom in the the Palace of the Arts at the British Empire Exhibition in London 1924-25; a concrete house for the 'Daily Mail' Ideal Home Exhibition in London; reconstruction and decorations at Queen's Small Hall, Langham Place, London; alterations to the 'Everyman' Theatre in Hampstead, London; the Sell filling station on Waterloo Bridge Road, London; exhibition stands for Heal & Son Ltd., 'The Engineer', Chance & Co., 'Drystone Ltd., 'Furnishing Trades Organiser', etc.; and restorations to the Temple of Hibis at Kharga Oasis, Egypt, for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (in conjunction with the Egyptian Antiquities Dept.).
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
'Obituary'. Building vol. 226, 22 February 1974 p. 68
Who's Who in Architecture 1926. Edited by Frederick Chatterton. London: Architectural Press, 1926