Lawrence Weaver
Encyclopedia
Sir Lawrence Weaver was a British
architectural
writer and civil servant.
. He began his career there as a sales representative at an architectural practice, selling fixtures and fittings. He then became the London representative of Lockerbie and Wilkinson, a firm of ironfounders who made cast-iron ware for the building trade, where he developed an interest in leadwork. In 1905 his articles on leadwork topics began to be published in leading journals such as Country Life
, Architectural Review
, The Burlington Magazine
, and Art Workers Quarterly. Over time his articles' subject matter widened to cover all aspects of architecture.
In 1910 Weaver was appointed Architectural Editor of Country Life, writing on contemporary architecture as an 'advocate of the new' and the Arts and Crafts Movement
, and subsequently becoming a director. He wrote a large number of articles on country houses and gardens, especially those by Edwin Lutyens
, providing a strong counterpoint to his predecessor, Avray Tipping
. In 1913 the magazine was described as "the keeper of the architectural conscience of the nation".
From 1916 he became a civil servant during the First World War. In 1919, when he was the Commercial Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
, he founded the National Institute of Agricultural Botany
. Weaver's career was subsequently supported by the patronage of Lord Arthur Lee
, his Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries
(1919–21), owner of the Chequers
estate and later co-founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art
.
In 1923 he was involved with the creation of the Ashtead Pottery
. In 1924-25 he organised the British Empire Exhibition
, for which he received his knighthood (KBE
).
Lawrence's wife, Kathleen, died in 1927 of pneumonia
, and when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1930 at the age of 53, their two sons, Purcell and Tobias were, in effect, adopted by the Sir Stafford Cripps family
. Their son, Tobias Rushton Weaver (19 July 1911-10 June 2001), Sir Toby from 1973, was a civil servant and educationist, working in the Department of Education and Science for 27 years, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Secretary (1962–73), ending under Margaret Thatcher
.
Co-written by Weaver:
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
architectural
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...
writer and civil servant.
Career
Lawrence Weaver was born and raised in BristolBristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
. He began his career there as a sales representative at an architectural practice, selling fixtures and fittings. He then became the London representative of Lockerbie and Wilkinson, a firm of ironfounders who made cast-iron ware for the building trade, where he developed an interest in leadwork. In 1905 his articles on leadwork topics began to be published in leading journals such as Country Life
Country Life (magazine)
Country Life is a British weekly magazine, based in London at 110 Southwark Street, and owned by IPC Media, a Time Warner subsidiary.- Topics :The magazine covers the pleasures and joys of rural life, as well as the concerns of rural people...
, Architectural Review
Architectural Review
The Architectural Review is a monthly international architectural magazine published in London since 1896. Articles cover the built environment which includes landscape, building design, interior design and urbanism as well as theory of these subjects....
, The Burlington Magazine
The Burlington Magazine
The Burlington Magazine is a monthly academic journal that covers the fine and decorative arts. It is the longest running art journal in the English language and it is a charitable organisation since 1986. It was established in 1903 by a group of art historians and connoisseurs which included Roger...
, and Art Workers Quarterly. Over time his articles' subject matter widened to cover all aspects of architecture.
In 1910 Weaver was appointed Architectural Editor of Country Life, writing on contemporary architecture as an 'advocate of the new' and the Arts and Crafts Movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
, and subsequently becoming a director. He wrote a large number of articles on country houses and gardens, especially those by 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...
, providing a strong counterpoint to his predecessor, Avray Tipping
Henry Avray Tipping
Henry Avray Tipping was a French-born British writer on country houses and gardens, and a garden designer.He was born in the Château de Ville-d'Avray near Versailles, while his parents were living in France before moving into Brasted Place in Kent, where he grew up...
. In 1913 the magazine was described as "the keeper of the architectural conscience of the nation".
From 1916 he became a civil servant during the First World War. In 1919, when he was the Commercial Secretary of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries
Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was a United Kingdom government department created by the Board of Agriculture Act 1889 and at that time called the Board of Agriculture, and then from 1903 the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and from 1919 the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries...
, he founded the National Institute of Agricultural Botany
National Institute of Agricultural Botany
The National Institute of Agricultural Botany is a plant science research company based in Cambridge, UK....
. Weaver's career was subsequently supported by the patronage of Lord Arthur Lee
Arthur Lee, 1st Viscount Lee of Fareham
Arthur Hamilton Lee, 1st Viscount Lee of Fareham, GCB, GBE, GCSI, PC was a British soldier, diplomat, politician and patron of the arts. After military postings and an assignment to the British Embassy in Washington, he entered politics and served as Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries and First...
, his Minster of Agriculture and Fisheries
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food was a UK cabinet position, responsible for the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. The post was originally named President of the Board of Agriculture and was created in 1889...
(1919–21), owner of the Chequers
Chequers
Chequers, or Chequers Court, is a country house near Ellesborough, to the south of Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire, England, at the foot of the Chiltern Hills...
estate and later co-founder of the Courtauld Institute of Art
Courtauld Institute of Art
The Courtauld Institute of Art is a self-governing college of the University of London specialising in the study of the history of art. The Courtauld is one of the premier centres for the teaching of art history in the world; it was the only History of Art department in the UK to be awarded a top...
.
In 1923 he was involved with the creation of the Ashtead Pottery
Ashtead potters
The Ashtead Pottery had a short life, being in business for just 12 years from 1923 until 1935. The factory was in the village of Ashtead, Surrey, England. It was set up with the aim of providing employment for disabled ex-servicemen, mainly from World War I of 1914-18.The main driving force behind...
. In 1924-25 he organised the British Empire Exhibition
British Empire Exhibition
The British Empire Exhibition was a colonial exhibition held at Wembley, Middlesex in 1924 and 1925.-History:It was opened by King George V on St George's Day, 23 April 1924. The British Empire contained 58 countries at that time, and only Gambia and Gibraltar did not take part...
, for which he received his knighthood (KBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
).
Lawrence's wife, Kathleen, died in 1927 of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
, and when he died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 1930 at the age of 53, their two sons, Purcell and Tobias were, in effect, adopted by the Sir Stafford Cripps family
Peggy Cripps
Enid Margaret "Peggy" Appiah, MBE was a British children's author, philanthropist and socialite. She was the daughter of the Right Honourable Sir Stafford Cripps and Isobel, the Honourable Lady Cripps, and the wife of Ghanaian lawyer and political activist Nana Joe Appiah.-Early life:Enid...
. Their son, Tobias Rushton Weaver (19 July 1911-10 June 2001), Sir Toby from 1973, was a civil servant and educationist, working in the Department of Education and Science for 27 years, culminating in his appointment as Deputy Secretary (1962–73), ending under Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Thatcher
Margaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
.
Books
By Weaver:- English Leadwork: Its Art and History (B. T. Batsford, London, 1909). Illustrated with many b/w photos and drawings.
- The "Country Life" Book of Cottages (Country Life Ltd, 1913). Illustrated with many b/w photographs and plans.
- Small country houses; their repair and enlargement; forty examples chosen from five centuries (London, Offices of Country life, 1914). Illustrated.
- Memorials & monuments old and new: two hundred subjects chosen from seven centuries (London, Offices of "Country Life", 1915). Illustrated with b/w photos and drawings.
- Village clubs and halls (London, Offices of "Country Life", 1920).
- Small country houses of to-day Volume 1, Volume 2 (London: Offices of Country Life, 1922). Illustrated with many b/w photos and plans.
- Sir Christopher Wren, scientist, scholar and architect (London, Offices of "Country life", 1923). Illustrated with b/w photos, and drawings by E. H. NewEdmund Hort NewEdmund Hort New was an English artist, member of the Birmingham Group, and leading illustrator of his day.-Life and work:New was born in Evesham Worcestershire, a cousin of Thomas New. He studied at the Birmingham Municipal School of Art under Edward R. Taylor and A. J...
.
Co-written by Weaver:
- Jekyll, Gertrude & Weaver, Lawrence. Gardens for Small Country Houses (Country Life Ltd, 1914). Illustrated with many b/w photos and plans.
External links
- Lawrence Weaver biography from Donhead Publishing