See also Ministry of Works (United Kingdom) and Property Services Agency.

The Office of Works was an organisation responsible for structures and exterior spaces, first established as part the English royal household[citation needed] in 1378 to oversee the building and maintenance of the royal castles and residences.

In 1832 it became the Works Department within the Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works and Buildings. It was reconstituted as a government department in 1851, which in 1940 and became part of the Ministry of Works.

Organisation and key positions

Surveyor, Comptroller and Architect

The organisation of the office varied; senior posts included Surveyor of the King's Works (1578–1782) and Comptroller of the King's Works (1423–1782). In 1782 these offices were merged into Surveyor-General and Comptroller.

More information Comptroller of the King's Works, Surveyor of the King's Works ...
Comptroller of the King's Works Surveyor of the King's Works
Surveyor-General and Comptroller
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After the death of the Surveyor-General and Comptroller James Wyatt in 1813, a non-professional Surveyor-General was appointed: Major-General Sir Benjamin Stephenson. He was assisted by three "Attached Architects": Sir John Soane, John Nash and Sir Robert Smirke. This arrangement ended in 1832 with the formation of the Works Department, when architect Henry Hake Seward was appointed Surveyor of Works and Buildings.[3]

Other positions included Surveyor of the King's Private Roads, various roles with responsibility for gardens, and later, Deputy Surveyor.

More information Surveyor of the King's Private Roads, Surveyor of Royal Gardens ...
Surveyor of the King's Private Roads Surveyor of Royal Gardens Deputy Surveyor
  • 1660–1670 Adrian May
  • 1670–1684 Hugh May
Superintendent of all the King's Gardens
Surveyor of Gardens and Waters
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Administrative positions

More information Paymaster of the Works, Secretary to the Board of Works ...
Paymaster of the Works Secretary to the Board of Works
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The office also had posts of Secretary, Master Mason and Master Carpenter.

References

Sources

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