Arthur Stedman
Encyclopedia
Arthur J Stedman FRIBA (1868–1958) was a British architect in the Late-Victorian
and Edwardian periods. He was a prominent architect in and around Farnham
, Surrey
where he was educated, lived and died.
, moving onto larger public works in the great expansion of municipal works projects in the interwar period. He finally retired in 1955 at the age of 87. He completed a number of fine works in West Surrey, including his own offices at 36 South Street (now demolished) and the Mackintosh Almshouses in West Street, Farnham
and some fine Edwardian country houses. He was also responsible for some fine restoration and infill projects within the historic urban fabric of Farnham, complimenting the Georgian
style that predominates there: His design for 49 Castle Street, Pevsner called a very good imitation. He was a near contemporary of Edwin Lutyens
, an architect whose buildings litter the countryside and towns of West Surrey and in whose London
office, Arthur’s 2nd son, Leonard, was articled as a young man. Stedman was just 1 year younger than Lutyens and 7 years older than the other eminent Farnham architect, Harold Falkner
.
Arthur apprenticed as an architect in the traditional way, with a firm of Farnham builders and attended night classes at Farnham Art School, (forerunner of the University for the Creative Arts). He finally set up his own office in 1895 at the age of 28 and was elected RIBA
in 1910 and a Fellow (FRIBA) before the War. He was Guildford
Diocesan Surveyor from 1925–1950 and taught drawing and building technology at the Farnham School of Art. He was sometime President of the South-East Society of Architects, a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA) and founding partner of the eponymous firm of architects, AJ Stedman FRIBA (later reincarnated in order as AJ & LR Stedman FRIBA, Stedman & Blower FRIBA and finally as today, Stedman Blower Architects). He was an exhibitor in the Royal Academy Annual Exhibition and appeared in various annuals of Who’s Who in Architecture (1914 & 1923).
, in 1858, from a family of wheelwrights. He was succeeded in his business (AJ & LR Stedman) by his son Leonard R Stedman. He died in 1958 at the age of 90. An extensive obituary was published in The Farnham Herald and also in The Builder.
(1899–1981) joined his father’s practice in 1922, henceforth known as AJ & LR Stedman, joining as Partner in 1935. Leonard was born on 2 September 1899 and attended Farnham Grammar School
and Cranleigh School
, after which he attended the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College
, London
. He spent his War years in the Royal Artillery
, the Pay Corps and as Garrison Engineer. He married Lois Monckton in 1928. His career tracks that of the prominent Farnham architect Harold Falkner
, who is now considered an important figure in the vernacular
arts & crafts
revival in the 20th century. Leonard Stedman completed a number of projects in the locality, such as the Royal Deer shops on South Street and the Magistrates Court in Farnham
. He also refurbished the Great Conservatory at Syon House
for the Duke of Northumberland
and converted a former riding school for the National Army Museum
at Sandhurst
. Leonard was active in local amenity societies and was for a time, President of the South-East Society of Architects. His architectural practice was taken over by Partner, Michael Blower
FRIBA in 1968, on his retirement. Leonard died in 1981 at the age of 81 and was survived by his son Tom, daughter Ann and by two grandchildren, Gareth and Diana. An extensive obituary was published in The Farnham Herald.
(No: 1106369) devoted to the study of the UK's cultural heritage
, with a particular emphasis on the built environment
and architecture
in the South-East Region
.
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
and Edwardian periods. He was a prominent architect in and around Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
where he was educated, lived and died.
Career
Arthur’s career flourished in the country house boom up to World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, moving onto larger public works in the great expansion of municipal works projects in the interwar period. He finally retired in 1955 at the age of 87. He completed a number of fine works in West Surrey, including his own offices at 36 South Street (now demolished) and the Mackintosh Almshouses in West Street, Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
and some fine Edwardian country houses. He was also responsible for some fine restoration and infill projects within the historic urban fabric of Farnham, complimenting the Georgian
Georgian architecture
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1720 and 1840. It is eponymous for the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover—George I of Great Britain, George II of Great Britain, George III of the United...
style that predominates there: His design for 49 Castle Street, Pevsner called a very good imitation. He was a near contemporary of Edwin Lutyens
Edwin Lutyens
Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA was a British architect who is known for imaginatively adapting traditional architectural styles to the requirements of his era...
, an architect whose buildings litter the countryside and towns of West Surrey and in whose London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
office, Arthur’s 2nd son, Leonard, was articled as a young man. Stedman was just 1 year younger than Lutyens and 7 years older than the other eminent Farnham architect, Harold Falkner
Harold Falkner
Harold Falkner FRIBA was a notable British architect in the early 20th Century and is now considered a leading exponent of the vernacular and the Arts & Crafts in architecture...
.
Arthur apprenticed as an architect in the traditional way, with a firm of Farnham builders and attended night classes at Farnham Art School, (forerunner of the University for the Creative Arts). He finally set up his own office in 1895 at the age of 28 and was elected RIBA
Riba
Riba means one of the senses of "usury" . Riba is forbidden in Islamic economic jurisprudence fiqh and considered as a major sin...
in 1910 and a Fellow (FRIBA) before the War. He was Guildford
Guildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
Diocesan Surveyor from 1925–1950 and taught drawing and building technology at the Farnham School of Art. He was sometime President of the South-East Society of Architects, a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
(RIBA) and founding partner of the eponymous firm of architects, AJ Stedman FRIBA (later reincarnated in order as AJ & LR Stedman FRIBA, Stedman & Blower FRIBA and finally as today, Stedman Blower Architects). He was an exhibitor in the Royal Academy Annual Exhibition and appeared in various annuals of Who’s Who in Architecture (1914 & 1923).
Farnham Cricket Club
He was Founding President of the revived Farnham Cricket Club. The Stedman Cricket Cup is awarded in his memory by the FCC.Personal life
Arthur Stedman was born in Normandy, GuildfordGuildford
Guildford is the county town of Surrey. England, as well as the seat for the borough of Guildford and the administrative headquarters of the South East England region...
, in 1858, from a family of wheelwrights. He was succeeded in his business (AJ & LR Stedman) by his son Leonard R Stedman. He died in 1958 at the age of 90. An extensive obituary was published in The Farnham Herald and also in The Builder.
Leonard R Stedman
Leonard R Stedman BSc ARIBAAriba
Ariba is a software and information technology services company located in Sunnyvale, California.- Early life :Ariba was founded in 1996 by Bobby Lent, Boris Putanec, Paul Touw, Rob Desantis, Ed Kinsey, Paul Hegarty, and Keith Krach on the idea of using the Internet to enable companies to...
(1899–1981) joined his father’s practice in 1922, henceforth known as AJ & LR Stedman, joining as Partner in 1935. Leonard was born on 2 September 1899 and attended Farnham Grammar School
Farnham Grammar School
Farnham Grammar School is now called Farnham College which is located in Farnham, Surrey.-History:The grammar school was created some time before 1585...
and Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School
Cranleigh School is an independent English boarding school in the village of Cranleigh, Surrey. It was founded in 1865 as a boys' school and started to admit girls in the early 1970s. It is now co-educational. The current headmaster is Guy de W...
, after which he attended the Bartlett School of Architecture, University College
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He spent his War years in the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
, the Pay Corps and as Garrison Engineer. He married Lois Monckton in 1928. His career tracks that of the prominent Farnham architect Harold Falkner
Harold Falkner
Harold Falkner FRIBA was a notable British architect in the early 20th Century and is now considered a leading exponent of the vernacular and the Arts & Crafts in architecture...
, who is now considered an important figure in the vernacular
Vernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
arts & crafts
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts may refer to:* Arts and Crafts Movement, an aesthetic movement* Arts and crafts, activities related to making things with one's own hands and skill* "Arts & Crafts", a song by Red Light Company...
revival in the 20th century. Leonard Stedman completed a number of projects in the locality, such as the Royal Deer shops on South Street and the Magistrates Court in Farnham
Farnham
Farnham is a town in Surrey, England, within the Borough of Waverley. The town is situated some 42 miles southwest of London in the extreme west of Surrey, adjacent to the border with Hampshire...
. He also refurbished the Great Conservatory at Syon House
Syon House
Syon House, with its 200-acre park, is situated in west London, England. It belongs to the Duke of Northumberland and is now his family's London residence...
for the Duke of Northumberland
Duke of Northumberland
The Duke of Northumberland is a title in the peerage of Great Britain that has been created several times. Since the third creation in 1766, the title has belonged to the House of Percy , which held the title of Earl of Northumberland from 1377....
and converted a former riding school for the National Army Museum
National Army Museum
The National Army Museum is the British Army's central museum. It is located in the Chelsea district of central London, England adjacent to the Royal Hospital Chelsea, the home of the "Chelsea Pensioners". The National Army Museum is open to the public every day of the year from 10.00am to 5.30pm,...
at Sandhurst
Sandhurst
Sandhurst is a small town and civil parish in England of 7,966 homes and 20,803 inhabitants , primarily domiciliary in nature with a few light industries...
. Leonard was active in local amenity societies and was for a time, President of the South-East Society of Architects. His architectural practice was taken over by Partner, Michael Blower
Michael Blower
Michael Blower AAdipl FRIBA FRSA is a notable British architect, activist for the preservation and restoration of England’s cultural heritage and accomplished watercolourist and recorder of England’s townscapes...
FRIBA in 1968, on his retirement. Leonard died in 1981 at the age of 81 and was survived by his son Tom, daughter Ann and by two grandchildren, Gareth and Diana. An extensive obituary was published in The Farnham Herald.
Legacy
The Blower Foundation (for cultural Connection) holds an archive of the Stedmans’ drawings, correspondence and projects dating back to 1895. The Blower Foundation is a UK Registered Charitable TrustCharitable trust
A charitable trust is an irrevocable trust established for charitable purposes, and is a more specific term than "charitable organization".-United States:...
(No: 1106369) devoted to the study of the UK's cultural heritage
Cultural heritage
Cultural heritage is the legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that are inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations...
, with a particular emphasis on the built environment
Built environment
The term built environment refers to the human-made surroundings that provide the setting for human activity, ranging in scale from personal shelter and buildings to neighborhoods and cities that can often include their supporting infrastructure, such as water supply or energy networks.The built...
and architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
in the South-East Region
South East England
South East England is one of the nine official regions of England, designated in 1994 and adopted for statistical purposes in 1999. It consists of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex...
.
Further reading
- West Surrey Architects, by Christopher Budgen. Woking: Heritage of Waverley, 2002 (paperback, ISBN 0-9542131-0-6).
- Harold Falkner: More Than an Arts & Crafts Architect, by Sam Osmond. Chichester: Phillimore, 2003 (paperback, ISBN 1-86077-253-6).
- The Buildings of England: Surrey, by Ian Nairn & Nicholas Pevsner. London: Yale University Press, 2002 2nd ed (hardback, ISBN 0-300-09675-5).
External links
- The Blower Foundation (for cultural connection) is a registered UK Charity devoted to cultural heritage and expression and http://www.cultural-connection.org hold an archive of drawings by the Stedmans and have an online gallery of buildings by both architects.
- Stedman Blower Architects http://www.stedmanblower.co.uk hold additional correspondence and detailed information on further projects and archives related to the Stedmans.
- Farnham Cricket Club http://www.farnhamcc.co.uk