James Richard Wilkinson was born in Mapplewell, Yorkshire, England in 1878 and was articled to Herbert Crawshaw (1887-1920). He commenced independent practice as an architect in Barnsley, Yorkshire in 1902. He was a Member of the Society of Architects (MSA) and was admitted a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1925. His address was given as 13 Regent Street, Barnsley in 1914 and 1939; South View, Staincross, near Barnsley in 1914 and 1923; 25 Braithwaite Street, Staincross, Barnsley in 1940. He died on 5 October 1940.
Council School, Darton; chapels at Staincross and Dodworth; Sunday School, Darton; Mechanics' Institute, Eldon Buildings, and business premises, Barnsley
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