Early life in Manchester[edit]
Foster was born to Robert Foster and Lilian Smith[4] in 1935 in Reddish, Stockport, Cheshire. They moved, soon after his birth, two miles to 4 Crescent Grove in Levenshulme, Manchester, which they rented for fourteen shillings (70p) a week:[5] Foster has no recollection of Reddish.[4] Foster's parents were dilligent, hard workers – so dilligent that Foster, as an only child, felt their heavy workload restricted his relationship with them and he was often looked after by neighbours or other family members.[6] He attended Burnage Grammar School for Boys in Burnage. In a Guardian interview in 1999, Foster said he always felt 'different' at school and was bullied and he retired into the world of books.[7] He considered himself quiet and awkward in his early years often making faux pas.[8]
Alfred Waterhouse's Manchester Town Hall, where Foster worked as a junior clerk
Foster described Manchester as "one of the workshops of the world"[7] and "the embodiment of a great city",[9] his father, Robert, worked at Metropolitan-Vickers, Trafford Park which fuelled Foster's interest in engineering and design.[7] He was fascinated with engineering and the process of designing. He says that caused him to pursue a career designing buildings.[10] Specific interests included aircraft, a hobby he maintains today;[10] and trains, generated by viewing passing trains on the railway outside his terraced home during his childhood.[10]
Foster's father convinced him to take the entrance exam for Manchester Town Hall's trainee scheme[11] which he passed in 1951 and took a job as an office junior in the Treasurer's Department.[11] A colleague, Mr Cobb's son, was studying architecture and his interest led to Foster considering a career in architecture.[12] After working in the Manchester City Treasurer's office, Foster completed his National Service in 1953 serving in the Royal Air Force, a choice inspired by his passion for aircraft.[13]
Foster returned to Manchester, not wanting to return to the town hall as his parents wished and unsure of which path to follow.[14] Foster was searching for a world away from his working-class roots which led to the alienation of his parents.[15]