{{Short description|British developer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2026}}{{Use British English|date=May 2026}}
'''Henry Banks''' (1758 – 18 April 1847) was an English developer. He was known as the "Father of Blackpool,"<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ryan |date=2019-08-28 |title=How Was Blackpool Tower Built? |url=https://www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/blackpool-tower-built |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Blackpool Grand Theatre |language=en-GB}}</ref> having been responsible for several buildings in the town.
== Early life == Banks was born in Blackpool in 1758 to Edward Banks and Jane Pearson. He was their first child, and was followed by Thomas and Catherine.
== Career == In 1819, he purchased the Lane Ends estate (including the Lane Ends Hotel),<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-10-07 |title=10 people who deserve to be recognised with a statue |url=https://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/retro/10-people-from-blackpool-who-deserve-to-be-recognised-with-a-statue-in-the-resort-5349374 |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Blackpool Gazette |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=co |first=Pigot James and |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pigot_and_co_s_national_commercial_direc/hdMHAAAAQAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=henry+banks+blackpool&pg=PA433&printsec=frontcover |title=Pigot and co.'s national commercial directory for 1828-9, comprising a directory of the merchants, bankers, professional gentleman [&c.] in the counties of Cheshire, Cumberland [&c.]. |date=1828 |pages=433 |language=en}}</ref> on which he built Blackpool's first holiday cottages.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Maconie |first=Stuart |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Pies_and_Prejudice/AFL7O5nj0bUC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=henry+banks+blackpool&pg=PA259&printsec=frontcover |title=Pies and Prejudice: In search of the North |date=2008-09-04 |publisher=Random House |isbn=978-0-09-193030-1 |pages=259 |language=en}}</ref> In 1837, his son-in-law, John Cocker,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Easdown |first=Martin |url=https://www.google.com/books/edition/Lancashire_s_Seaside_Piers/hrAecpdGB4oC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=henry+banks+blackpool&pg=PA99&printsec=frontcover |title=Lancashire's Seaside Piers: Also Featuring the Piers of the River Mersey, Cumbria and the Isle of Man |date=2009-11-01 |publisher=Casemate Publishers |isbn=978-1-84563-093-5 |pages=99 |language=en}}</ref> built the town's first assembly rooms. John Cocker was the father of Blackpool's first mayor, William Cocker. William inherited Banks's land and buildings.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Blackpool |first=Live |date=2026-01-11 |title=History of Blackpool and How it Began • explore the past with Live Blackpool |url=https://www.liveblackpool.info/about/history/history-of-blackpool-and-growth-of-the-town/ |access-date=2026-05-23 |website=Blackpool |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Personal life == Banks married Margaret Bailey, with whom had two known children: Alice (who married Reverend William Thornber) and Jane (who married John Cocker).
==References== {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Banks, Henry}} Category:1758 births Category:1847 deaths Category:People from Blackpool Category:English builders