William Samwell (architect)
Encyclopedia
William Samwell was an English
architect
. He was born in Dean's Yard, Westminster
, to Anthony Samwell, son of Sir William Samwell
, Auditor of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth I.
He was one of the gentleman architects who helped define the architectural style that was fashionable after the Restoration. One of his principal buildings was at Grange Park, Northington which he designed and constructed from 1664 to 1670 for Sir Robert Henley. There are no known pictures of the Samwell house. The Grange, Northington was subsequently remodelled by William Wilkins and is one of the earliest Greek Revival houses in Europe. He also designed and built Bushy House
from 1664 to 1665 for Edward Proger
.
Having established himself under King Charles II, he was commissioned to build the King's residence in Newmarket from 1668 to 1671. Sometime after 1814, most of the residence was demolished. Today, the remaining southeast block is known as 'The Palace House Mansion'.
In 1672, Samwell and William Bruce
enlarged and remodeled Ham House, the residence of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
and Elizabeth, 2nd Countess of Dysart
.
From 1674 to 1675, Samwell designed the west wing of Felbrigg Hall
and the original Eaton Hall
, but he did not live to see these last two projects to the end of their construction. Samwell's designs for the west wing are on display inside Felbrigg Hall today, signed and dated 1674.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He was born in Dean's Yard, Westminster
Dean's Yard
Dean's Yard, Westminster, comprises most of the remaining precincts of the former monastery of Westminster, not occupied by the Abbey buildings. It is known to members of Westminster School as Green, and referred to without an article...
, to Anthony Samwell, son of Sir William Samwell
Sir William Samwell
Sir William Samwell was an Auditor of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth I of England. He was knighted at the coronation of King James I of England in 1603....
, Auditor of the Exchequer to Queen Elizabeth I.
He was one of the gentleman architects who helped define the architectural style that was fashionable after the Restoration. One of his principal buildings was at Grange Park, Northington which he designed and constructed from 1664 to 1670 for Sir Robert Henley. There are no known pictures of the Samwell house. The Grange, Northington was subsequently remodelled by William Wilkins and is one of the earliest Greek Revival houses in Europe. He also designed and built Bushy House
Bushy House
Bushy House is a former royal residence in Teddington in South West London, on the site of the National Physical Laboratory, overlooking Bushy Park....
from 1664 to 1665 for Edward Proger
Edward Proger
Edward Proger was a Member of Parliament for Brecknock/Breconshire, Page of Honour to King Charles I, Groom of the Bedchamber for King Charles II and Lord of the Manor of West Stow. He was Keeper of the Middle Park and Harewarren for 48 years.Proger's family lived in a mansion near Abergavenny,...
.
Having established himself under King Charles II, he was commissioned to build the King's residence in Newmarket from 1668 to 1671. Sometime after 1814, most of the residence was demolished. Today, the remaining southeast block is known as 'The Palace House Mansion'.
In 1672, Samwell and William Bruce
William Bruce (architect)
Sir William Bruce of Kinross, 1st Baronet was a Scottish gentleman-architect, "the effective founder of classical architecture in Scotland," as Howard Colvin observes...
enlarged and remodeled Ham House, the residence of John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
John Maitland, 1st Duke of Lauderdale
Sir John Maitland, 1st Duke and 2nd Earl of Lauderdale, 3rd Lord Thirlestane KG PC , was a Scottish politician, and leader within the Cabal Ministry.-Background:...
and Elizabeth, 2nd Countess of Dysart
Elizabeth Maitland, Duchess of Lauderdale
Elizabeth Maitland, Duchess of Lauderdale was an influential British noblewoman. She is famous for the political influence she held, which was unusual for women of the period, and for her support of Charles II during his exile as a member of the secret organisation known as the Sealed Knot.-Early...
.
From 1674 to 1675, Samwell designed the west wing of Felbrigg Hall
Felbrigg Hall
Felbrigg Hall is a 17th-century country house located in Felbrigg, Norfolk, England. Part of a National Trust property, the unaltered 17th-century house is noted for its Jacobean architecture and fine Georgian interior...
and the original Eaton Hall
Eaton Hall (Cheshire)
Eaton Hall is the country house of the Duke of Westminster. It is set within a large estate south of the village of Eccleston, in Cheshire, England . The house is surrounded by formal gardens, parkland, farmland and woodland. The estate covers an area of about .The first substantial house was...
, but he did not live to see these last two projects to the end of their construction. Samwell's designs for the west wing are on display inside Felbrigg Hall today, signed and dated 1674.