Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840

Colvin Howard

The authoritative and now classic work of reference on the history of British architecture contains biographical information on some 2,000 architects who practised in England, Scotland and Wales from the time of Inigo Jones (1573-1652) to that of William Burn (1789-1870) and Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860). This new edition is the fourth of what began in 1954 as "A Biographical Dictionary of English Architects 1600-1840", and 62 newly identified architects and about 700 buildings have been added since the previous edition.

Reviews

"No more important contribution has been made to the history of English architecture (or any of the visual arts in England, for that matter)... in this century" – Hugh Honour, The Observer

"It is hardly an exaggeration to say that Colvin's Dictionary changed the face of English architectural history" – David Watkin in "The Rise of Architectural History"

"an indispensable reference on any architectural historian's bookshelves... a treasured source of much fascinating information... a staggering achievement, beautifully written and superbly produced. It is indubitably the standard work of biographical reference in the field" – James Stevens Curl, Journal of the Royal Society of Arts

"An indispensable book for any architecture historian, professional and amateur" – Colin Amery, Financial Times

"A definitive work of reference, but also extraordinarily absorbing, a book to savor again and again" – Linda Colley, The Observer

Back to the list of books