Brigadier General Arthur Benison Hubback: The Architect Who Shaped Malaya's Colonial Heritage

Spotlight : A. B. Hubback

Originally Published: 22 June 2026 | Last Updated: nil

Arthur Benison Hubback – better known as A. B. Hubback – was one of the most influential architects in British Malaya. His name is synonymous with some of Malaysia's most iconic colonial buildings, including the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station, Jamek Mosque, and the Railway Administration Building. Yet, despite his monumental contributions, his name is frequently misspelled as "Hubbock" in books, plaques, and publications. This article tries to tie numerous articles in celebrating the life and legacy of a remarkable architect, soldier, and sportsman.

Early Life and Family

Arthur Benison Hubback was born on 13 April 1871 at 74 Rodney Street, Liverpool, England. He was the eldest son of Joseph Hubback (1814–1882), a successful merchant who served as Mayor of Liverpool in 1870, and Georgina Hubback (née Benison). Arthur's middle name, "Benison," was directly inherited from his mother's family line.

Georgina Eliott‑Lockhart: A Woman of Strength and Heritage

Arthur's mother, Georgina Benison, was born on 7 October 1840 in Ghazeepore, Bengal Presidency, India, to Samuel Benison (1802–1864) and Martha McDowell (1813–1845). The Benison family had deep roots in British India, and Georgina's early years were shaped by the colonial experience.

Before marrying Alderman Joseph Hubback, Georgina Benison had been married to Captain Allan Eliott Lockhart. When she lost her first husband and later remarried into the Hubback family, she was a widow. From her first marriage, she had a daughter, Alleen Charlotte Elliot‑Lockhart (1865–1920), who became Arthur's half‑sister.

Georgina was Joseph Hubback's third wife, and together they had seven children – five sons and two daughters. The Liverpool Footprint records note that Georgina was actively involved in the administration of parish relief and served as president of the Liverpool Needlework Guild, which supplied clothing to the poor. Her charitable work reflects a woman of compassion and social responsibility.

After Joseph Hubback's death in 1882, Georgina was left to raise five young children on her own. She passed away on 29 October 1913 in Dover, Kent, at the age of 73.

The Benison Legacy: Arthur's Middle Name

Arthur inherited "Benison" directly from his mother's maiden name – a naming tradition that anchored the family's history right into his initials, A. B. This tradition extended to his brothers too, who all received distinct, unconventional middle names: Theodore Rathbone and George Clay. The use of maternal surnames as middle names was a common practice among Victorian families, serving as a way to preserve and honour the mother's lineage.

Arthur was educated at Fettes College, Edinburgh, and then started his professional career as an apprentice to Thomas Shelmerdine, the city architect of Liverpool.

Arrival in Malaya

In 1895, at the age of 24, Arthur arrived in Malaya. He began his career as the chief draughtsman with the Selangor Public Works Department, which was then working on the construction of the government offices now known as the Sultan Abdul Samad Building in Kuala Lumpur.

By 1900, he had risen to the position of chief government architect of the Federated Malay States – a remarkable achievement for a young architect who had only been in the country for five years.

On 28 October 1901, Arthur married Margaret Rose Frances Voules (known as Daisy) in England. The couple had at least two children: Arthur Gordon Voules Hubback (born 1902) and Yvonne Voules Hubback (born 1912) – the latter being the Mrs. Yvonne Barbor whom I had the privilege of meeting in 2008.

Architectural Style: Indo‑Saracenic Revival and Wrenaissance

Arthur Benison Hubback is widely celebrated for his Indo‑Saracenic Revival designs – a distinctive blend of Islamic, Mughal, Gothic, and Romanesque elements that gave Malaya's colonial architecture its romantic and exotic character. His Indo‑Saracenic buildings, such as the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Jamek Mosque, feature iconic onion domes, horseshoe arches, minarets, and intricate geometric patterns.

However, Hubback was not limited to a single style. He was equally proficient in European "Wrenaissance" – an architectural portmanteau blending "Wren" (referring to the classical English style of Sir Christopher Wren) with "Renaissance" – and Neo‑Classical eclectic styles. While Hubback is most widely recognised for his onion‑domed, Mughal‑eclectic landmarks, his administrative and transit buildings heavily featured the grand, symmetrical Wrenaissance and Neo‑Classical look.

Examples of his Wrenaissance and Neo‑Classical works include:

Federated Malay States Survey Office (built 1910) – A stately Neo‑Classical building with clean lines, pediments, and a symmetrical façade.
National Textile Museum (formerly F.M.S. Railways Central Offices, built 1905) – A balanced composition that reflects Wrenaissance principles.
Malayan Railway Building and Clock Tower, Penang (completed 1909) – An Edwardian Baroque and Wrenaissance design that served as the northern railway terminus.
Panggung Bandaraya (former City Hall, Kuala Lumpur) – Combines Neo‑Classical balance with Indo‑Saracenic elements.

This versatility – moving between the exotic Indo‑Saracenic and the restrained European classical – is what makes Hubback's portfolio so remarkable. His ability to adapt his style to the purpose of the building, whether it was a mosque, a railway station, or a government office, demonstrates a mastery that few architects of his era possessed.

Major Architectural Works

During his career in Malaya, Hubback designed at least 25 buildings. Some of his most notable works include:

Kuala Lumpur Railway Station (built 1910) – One of Kuala Lumpur's most distinctive colonial buildings, designed in the Indo‑Saracenic style with white walls, horseshoe arches, and domed spires.
Railway Administration Building (completed 1917) – Built to serve as the headquarters of the Federated Malay States Railways, facing the railway station across Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin.
Ubudiah Mosque, Kuala Kangsar, Perak – One of Malaysia's most beautiful mosques, built under the auspices of the Sultan of Perak.
Jamek Mosque, Kuala Lumpur – The oldest mosque in Kuala Lumpur, located at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers.
National Textile Museum (formerly F.M.S. Railways Central Offices) – Built in 1905, this building now houses Malaysia's national textile collection.
Panggung Bandaraya DBKL (former City Hall) – A civic building that combines neoclassical balance with Indo‑Saracenic elements.
Ipoh Railway Station, Perak – Another magnificent railway station designed in the Indo‑Saracenic style.
Kowloon Railway Station, Hong Kong – Designed in 1916, now demolished; only the clock tower remains.
Malayan Railway Building and Clock Tower, Penang (completed 1909) – Built in the Edwardian Baroque style as the northern railway terminus.
Federated Malay States Survey Office, Kuala Lumpur (completed 1910) – Built to accommodate the Survey Department of the British colonial administration.
Sultan Abdul Samad Building – Hubback worked on this building as chief draughtsman, though it is often credited to his predecessor, A.C. Norman.

Sportsman and "Trilby"

Beyond his professional achievements, Arthur Benison Hubback was a passionate sportsman and a man of distinctive personal style. He was an active athlete, particularly in football and cricket, and was a prominent figure in the local sports scene, frequently serving as the captain of the Selangor and Federated Malay States cricket teams. His love for the game was shared with his younger brother, Theodore, and together they represented Malaya in a cricket match in Hong Kong.

Hubback was also known for his signature fashion choice: he was rarely seen without his trilby hat. This earned him the affectionate nickname "Trilby", and his distinctive Indo‑Saracenic architectural style became known as the "Trilby Touch" (or "Sentuhan Trilby" in Malay). His personal style and professional work became intertwined, leaving a lasting mark on Malaya's colonial heritage.

The Soldier: From Architect to Brigadier General

In 1914, at the outbreak of World War I, Hubback returned to Britain, though he did not officially resign from his position in Malaya until 1917. What makes his story remarkable is that he reversed the pattern of many British architects of the British Raj – he was an architect who became a soldier, rather than the other way around.

He entered the Theatre of War in France in March 1915, fighting at the Somme and was wounded in action. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel with the 19th (County of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (St. Pancras).

In 1916, he was promoted to Brigadier General of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, and later commanded the 63rd Infantry Brigade of the 37th Division of the British Expeditionary Force.

For his service, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in 1918, and was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George (CMG). He was also entitled to the Victory Medal, the British War Medal, and the 1914‑15 Star.

He remained in the army until his retirement in 1924.

Later Life and Death

After retiring from the army, Hubback returned to England. In the 1939 England and Wales Register, he is listed as living with his wife Margaret at 20 Lancaster Road, Wimbledon, Surrey, with his occupation recorded as "Government Architect (retired)".

Arthur Benison Hubback passed away on 8 May 1948 at the age of 77, due to heart failure. His will was proved on 18 September 1948, leaving effects valued at £1,993 13s. 6d. to his widow, Margaret.

His last known address was The Hollies, High Road, Broxbourne, Hertfordshire.

A Note on the Misspelling of "Hubback"

One of the most persistent errors in Malaysian colonial architecture history is the misspelling of the family name "Hubback" as "Hubbock". This error appears in countless books, publications, magazines, websites, and even on official plaques displayed at the buildings he designed. The same inaccuracy applies to his initials, A. B.

This online tribute exists, in part, to correct such mistakes and ensure that future generations remember this remarkable architect and soldier by his rightful name.

Legacy

Arthur Benison Hubback's buildings continue to define Kuala Lumpur's cityscape and stand as enduring testaments to his vision and skill. From the majestic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station to the serene Ubudiah Mosque, his works are cherished as national treasures.

References

Thank you for reading. I invite you to explore more about the Hubback brothers and their lasting impact on Malaysia's architectural and natural heritage.

This post was originally published on 22 June 2026.