George Gilbert Scott

Sir George Gilbert Scott ( born July 13, 1811 in Gawcott, Buckinghamshire, † March 27, 1878 in London ) was an English architect of the 19th century, who distinguished himself mainly by the construction and renovation of churches and cathedrals. He was a major representative of the popular in the 19th century neo-Gothic architectural style.

Life and work

Scott was the son of a clergyman and grandson of the theologian and biblical commentator Thomas Scott. He studied architecture as a pupil of James Edmestons and initially worked as an assistant to Henry Roberts, then for his friend Sampson Kempthorne. After the death of his father, he started his own business and was able, with the support of influential friends of his father a few orders for workhouses ( workhouses ) win ( workhouses in Brackley, Northampton, Oundle and Towcester ). Together with his assistant and later his partner William Bonython Moffatt, he designed ten-year collaboration (1835-1845) over 40 workhouses.

Were often kept his early work in a simple, classical style, Scott turned to under the influence of Augustus Pugin Gothic Revival. His first important work in this style is the martyrs' memorial in Oxford ( 1841).

His other works include:

• The original Nikolai Church in Hamburg (1846-1874)
• The parish church of St. John in Eastnor, Herefordshire (1852 )
• Gardens of the manor Lanhydrock House in Bodmin, Cornwall (1857, employees of Richard Coad )
• The building of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Whitehall, London (1861-1868)
• The Albert Memorial (1862 )
• St Pancras station in London (1865 )
• The main building of the University of Glasgow ( 1870)
• The renovation of the St. Margaret's Church ( 1877)

The main interest of Scotts was the medieval church architecture. He participated in the restoration of several cathedrals ( including Chichester, Gloucester, Oxford, Wakefield and Exeter), the Abbey of Pershore, the Priory of Malvern and Margaret Church in Westminster; he also designed the chapels of Exeter College, Oxford and St John's College, Cambridge.

George Gilbert Scott in 1872 was knighted and buried after his death in Westminster Abbey.

His sons George Gilbert Scott Junior and John Oldrid Scott and his grandson Giles Gilbert Scott were also well-known architect, his son Dukinfield Henry Scott was a renowned botanist.