Robert Furze Brettingham
Robert Furze Brettingham (1750โ1820) was an English architect, the nephew of Matthew Brettingham the Elder, who practised in London.
Biography
Education
Like his uncle he spent a part of his early life in Italy, from where he returned in 1781. Brettingham's subsequent works, and the drawings which he exhibited on his return at the exhibitions of the
In 1773 he published another edition of his uncle's Plans, &c. of Holkham, also, like it, in atlas folio, "to which are added the ceilings and chimney-pieces, and also a descriptive account of the statues, pictures, and drawings, not in the former edition." Descriptive Account Brettingham wrote the descriptive account; as in the original edition, the plans are ascribed to Matthew Brettingham, and William Kent is ignored.[1]
Works
The sudden death in 1790 of the prison architect William Blackburn, provided the great opportunity of Brettingham's life, and he soon gained a lucrative practice. Blackburn left many designs incomplete, several of which Brettingham subsequently carried into execution. He erected gaols at Reading, Hertford, Poole, Downpatrick, Northampton, and elsewhere.[1]
In 1771 his name appears associated with those of the leading architects of the time in the foundation of the Architects' Club, which met to dine at the Thatched House Tavern on the first Thursday each month. Other original members of this club included Sir William Chambers, Robert Adam, John Soane, James Wyatt, and Samuel Pepys Cockerell. About this time Brettingham also held the post of resident clerk in the Board of Works, which he resigned in 1805.[1]
His works for private patrons include the "Temple of Concord" in the grounds of
References
- ^ a b c d Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885โ1900. .
- ^ "Temple of Concord". Pastscape. English Heritage. Retrieved 27 October 2012.
- required.)
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "Brettingham, Robert Furze". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885โ1900.