The Modern Magician

Ann Thompson tells the story of industrialist William Armstrong, the man behind the first house in the world to have all mod cons

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The country home of Lord Armstrong, Cragside, was the first house in the world to use hydro-electric power. In addition to electric light, it boasted a hydraulically powered dishwasher and dumb waiter. Little wonder that Armstrong was known as “the modern magician” in Victorian times. William George Armstrong was born on 26 November 1810 in Newcastle upon Tyne to William, a corn merchant, and his wife, Anne. As a child, the young William experimented with weights and pulleys, and while at Bishop Auckland Grammar School, he broke a window trying out a crossbow he had designed himself. During his time at school, he was fascinated by regular trips to William Ramshaw's engineering works.

Armstrong was sometimes troubled by bronchitis and consequently was sent to Rothbury, Northumberland to benefit from the country air at the holiday home of his father’s friend, Armorer Donkin, who was a solicitor. The boy grew to love the area, and it was no coincidence that in later years he chose to make his own summer home there.

After leaving school, William went to London to train as a lawyer under the watchful eye of his sister's husband, William Henry Watson. After qualifying, he moved back to Newcastle in 1833 and started work at Donkin's practice. Two years later, he married William Ramshaw’s daughter, Margaret. He and his bride moved into a new house in Jesmond, a suburb of Newcastle, where Margaret developed a passion for gardening. Although their house no longer exists, the gardens were given to the people of Newcastle in the form of Jesmond Dene.