We live in a “Collin’s House” but who was Herbert Collins? Part 2.
After leaving Mill Hill School in1900, Herbert was put to work in his father’s building business. He and is brother William started at the bottom, working as carpenters. Herbert built many houses on his father’s Rookfield estate at Muswell Hill. After working for their father by day, Herbert and William attended evening classes in architecture. The first houses designed by Herbert were in Rookfield Avenue (1906-1911). From 1909 to 1922 Herbert and his first wife lived at number 31. The roads on the estate were attractive with four-foot grass verges planted with trees. As such they were not permitted under the current bye-laws and the local authority refused to adopt the roads. In 1911 his father moved to Southampton….
From “Herbert Collins” by Robert Williams. To be continued.