Henry Roberts (architect)
Encyclopedia
Henry Roberts was a British architect best known for Fishmongers' Hall in London
and for his work on model dwellings
for workers.
in 1803. His family returned to England shortly thereafter.
In 1817, Roberts began an apprenticeship with Charles Fowler
, where he stayed until 1825. He then entered the Royal Academy Schools and worked for Robert Smirke
, took part in competitions, and traveled in Italy
before returning to London
to set up his architectural practice there in 1830.
In 1832, Roberts won the competition for the Fishmongers' Hall at London Bridge
, which was to be his most well-known large-scale work. George Gilbert Scott
was his pupil during this period. He also designed a number of country houses, including Escot House
, Devon
(1838) and Norton Manor, Norton Fitzwarren
, Somerset
(1843).
In 1844, Roberts was appointed architect to the joint companies building the Brighton, Croydon, Dover and Greenwich Railway. The same year, he became Honorary Architect to the Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes. For that Society, and later for the Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes, Roberts designed a number of buildings that represented innovations in workers' housing, including the houses in Lower Road, Pentonville
, London
(1844) and the famous model dwellings in Streatham Street, Bloomsbury
(1849–1851). Another estate of model dwellings built by Roberts in 1852 survives today in Windsor
, Berkshire
.
Roberts was very influential on subsequent efforts in the area of workers' housing throughout Europe and the United States, both through his built work and his writings.
Roberts spent his later life in Italy
and died in Florence
in 1876
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...
and for his work on model dwellings
Model dwellings company
Model Dwellings Companies were a group of private companies in Victorian Britain that sought to improve the housing conditions of the working classes by building new homes for them, at the same time receiving a competitive rate of return on any investment...
for workers.
Biography
Henry Roberts was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
in 1803. His family returned to England shortly thereafter.
In 1817, Roberts began an apprenticeship with Charles Fowler
Charles Fowler
Charles Fowler , English architect, was born at Cullompton, Devon.After serving an apprenticeship of seven years with John Powning of Exeter, he went to London in 1814, and entered the office of David Laing, where he remained until he commenced practice for himself...
, where he stayed until 1825. He then entered the Royal Academy Schools and worked for Robert Smirke
Robert Smirke
Robert Smirke may refer to:* Robert Smirke , 18th/19th century English painter* Robert Smirke , son of the painter, 19th century English architect...
, took part in competitions, and traveled in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
before returning to 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...
to set up his architectural practice there in 1830.
In 1832, Roberts won the competition for the Fishmongers' Hall at London Bridge
London Bridge
London Bridge is a bridge over the River Thames, connecting the City of London and Southwark, in central London. Situated between Cannon Street Railway Bridge and Tower Bridge, it forms the western end of the Pool of London...
, which was to be his most well-known large-scale work. George Gilbert Scott
George Gilbert Scott
Sir George Gilbert Scott was an English architect of the Victorian Age, chiefly associated with the design, building and renovation of churches, cathedrals and workhouses...
was his pupil during this period. He also designed a number of country houses, including Escot House
Escot House
Escot House is a privately owned 19th century country house, the home of the Kennaway family, situated at Talaton, near Ottery St Mary, East Devon. It is a Grade II listed building....
, Devon
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
(1838) and Norton Manor, Norton Fitzwarren
Norton Fitzwarren
Norton Fitzwarren is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England, situated north west of Taunton in the Taunton Deane district. The village has a population of 2,325.-History:...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
(1843).
In 1844, Roberts was appointed architect to the joint companies building the Brighton, Croydon, Dover and Greenwich Railway. The same year, he became Honorary Architect to the Society for Improving the Condition of the Labouring Classes. For that Society, and later for the Metropolitan Association for Improving the Dwellings of the Industrious Classes, Roberts designed a number of buildings that represented innovations in workers' housing, including the houses in Lower Road, Pentonville
Pentonville
Pentonville is an area of north-central London in the London Borough of Islington, centred on the Pentonville Road. The area is named after Henry Penton, who developed a number of streets in the 1770s in what was open countryside adjacent to the New Road...
, 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...
(1844) and the famous model dwellings in Streatham Street, Bloomsbury
Bloomsbury
-Places:* Bloomsbury is an area in central London.* Bloomsbury , related local government unit* Bloomsbury, New Jersey, New Jersey, USA* Bloomsbury , listed on the NRHP in Maryland...
(1849–1851). Another estate of model dwellings built by Roberts in 1852 survives today in Windsor
Windsor, Berkshire
Windsor is an affluent suburban town and unparished area in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead in Berkshire, England. It is widely known as the site of Windsor Castle, one of the official residences of the British Royal Family....
, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
.
Roberts was very influential on subsequent efforts in the area of workers' housing throughout Europe and the United States, both through his built work and his writings.
Roberts spent his later life in Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and died in Florence
Florence
Florence is the capital city of the Italian region of Tuscany and of the province of Florence. It is the most populous city in Tuscany, with approximately 370,000 inhabitants, expanding to over 1.5 million in the metropolitan area....
in 1876
Publications
- The Dwellings of the Labouring Classes, 1850.
- The Improvement of the Dwellings of the Labouring Classes through the Operation of Government Measures, 1859.
- The Essentials of a Healthy Dwelling and the Extension of its Benefits to the Labouring Population, 1862.
- The Physical Condition of the Labouring Classes, Resulting from the State of their Dwellings, 1866.
- Efforts on the Continent for Improving the Dwellings of the Labouring Classes, 1874.
Sources
- James Steven Curl, Henry Roberts, A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, Oxford University Press, 2000.