Howard Colvin

Sir Howard Colvin Montague (born 15 October 1919 Sidcup, Kent; † 28 December 2007, Oxford ) was a British architectural historian. He is known for a biographical encyclopedia of British Architects and a history of architecture in conjunction with the British royal family.

He studied at University College London, where he was Assistant Lecturer from 1946 to 1948 in history. He was tutor in 1948 and a Fellow of St. John's College, Oxford University, which he remained until his death. In 1965 he became Professor Emeritus Reader in History of Architecture and 1987.

He was from 1963 to 1976 a member of the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England, 1970 to 1984 of the Historic Buildings Council for England and from 1962 to 1972 the Royal Fine Art Commission. 1979 to 1981 he was president of the Society of Architectural Historians of Great Britain.

In 1978 he was awarded the Wolfson History Prize first for his life's work. He was CBE. In 1995 he was knighted. In 1943 he married Christina Butler and had two sons.

Writings

• A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, Yale University Press, 4th rested 2008 ( first 1954)
• The History of the King's Works, 6 volumes and volumes with plans, HMSO, London 1963 to 1982
• Unbuilt Oxford, Yale University Press, 1983
• Architecture and the After -Life, Yale University Press 1992