Named after its architect, Charles Lanyon, the Lanyon Building is the focal center of Queen's University.

Lanyon's work is scattered all over Northern Ireland. You travel to the North Coast, and the magnificent Glendun Viaduct is his work. As was the coast road round to Larne. Before that route opened up, that part of County Antrim was pretty remote and wild. Some say it still is.

The Palm House in Botanic Gardens was Lanyon's design. He was the man who planted 1,500 trees on the Frosses Road to build a road between Ballymoney and Ballymena.

This is the statue of Sir William Whitla that graces the side of the Whitla Hall at Queen's University of Belfast.

For me, Whitla's name is inextricably linked to Queen’s - Whitla Hall was the first place I went to when I was matriculating (I think), I’ve taken exams there, and it was where I eventually received my degree in 1999.

I bet if you’ve been to Queen’s, you’ve probably never paid much attention to Whitla. So, in the interests of research, here’s very thorough biography of the man.