He was the son of fellow architect Septimus Oswald.[3] He was educated at The Royal Grammar School, and then articled to his father, before becoming his assistant.[3]
S. Oswald & Son
From 1876 to 1891, he was in partnership with his father as S. Oswald & Son, and later with his son Harold Oswald (1874-1938).[3]
His son Gilbert Oswald later joined the practice. After the death of Harold in 1938 and Gilbert in 1945, the practice was continued by various other partners including James Reid. The firm designed a number of public houses, and Harold Oswald specialised in designing race courses.[4]
As well as designing pubs for Newcastle Breweries, he was the architect of their plush offices there in Haymarket in 1901, their stores and stables,[7] and the city's Central Arcade.[8]