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William Wilkins (architect)




William Wilkins ( 31 August 177831 August 1839 ) was an English Architect , Classical Scholar and Archaeologist .

Wilkins was born in Norwich , the son of a successful builder who also managed a chain of theatres. He studied at Gonville And Caius College, Cambridge and after touring Greece , Asia Minor and Italy between 1801 and 1804 , published researches into both Classical and Gothic Architecture , becoming one of the leading figures in the English Greek Revival of the early 1800s.

Among his works in the Classical neo-Grecian style were Downing College, Cambridge (designed 1805 , built 18071820 but not completed owing to lack of funds), the East India Company College , Haileybury ( 1809 ), Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds 1819 and University College, London ( 18251832 ).

He also produced buildings in the Gothic style, which he preferred, including work done in the 1820s at King's , Trinity and Corpus Christi Colleges in Cambridge .

His most famous work, the National Gallery , was completed in 1838 ; it has been less admired by critics than some of his other buildings. He is buried in the Chapel of Corpus Christi College, his own favourite among his works.


PUBLICATIONS

  • ''Antiquities of Magna Graecia'' (1807)

  • ''Atheniensia'' (1816)

  • ''Civil Architecture of Vitruvius '' (1812 and 1817)

  • ''Prolusiones Architectonicae'' (1837)



REFERENCE