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English architect From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sir Horace Jones PPRIBA (20 May 1819 – 21 May 1887) was an English architect particularly noted for his work as architect and surveyor to the City of London from 1864 until his death. He served as president of the Royal Institute of British Architects from 1882 until 1884, and was knighted in 1886. His most recognised work, Tower Bridge, was completed posthumously. Although his work is widely recognised, Jones himself is relatively little known, and is often disparaged by the architectural profession because of a perceived lack of artistry[1].
Horace Jones | |
|---|---|
 Portrait by Walter William Ouless, 1886 | |
| Born | 20 May 1819 Bucklersbury, London |
| Died | 21 May 1887 (aged 68) |
| Resting place | West Norwood Cemetery |
| Spouse | Ann Elizabeth Patch (1839 - 1889) |
| Children | Annie Horatia Jones (1876 - 1969) |
The son of David Jones, a lawyer, and Sarah Lydia Shephard, Jones was born at 15 Size Lane, Bucklersbury, London. He was articled to John Wallen, an architect and surveyor, of 16 Aldermanbury, and subsequently in 1841–42 travelled to Italy and Greece studying ancient architecture.[2]
In 1843 he commenced practice as an architect at 16 Furnival's Inn, Holborn. Beginning with Cardiff Town Hall (c. 1850–53)[3] and Caversham Park (from c. 1850), he designed and carried out many important buildings, soon coming to concentrate on work in London. He was surveyor for the Duke of Buckingham's Tufnell Park estate, for the Barnard estate, and the Bethnal Green estate.[2]
On 26 February 1864 he was elected architect and surveyor to the City of London, succeeding James Bunstone Bunning. Jones completed projects begun by his predecessor, such as the City Lunatic Asylum at Dartford, and was in charge of several renovations and additions to the Guildhall. He designed and built some of London's most famous markets, in particular Smithfield, Billingsgate and Leadenhall. He also designed the memorial at Temple Bar, replacing Wren's arch which was a notorious traffic obstacle. Jones also claimed that the chosen design for Holborn Viaduct was his , though he later lost a piracy case against William Haywood, Engineer to the City of London, who is now credited with the work[4].
Jones' final legacy is one of the most recognised buildings in the world, Tower Bridge. It was designed in collaboration with the civil engineer John Wolfe Barry, who was brought in as an expert to devise the mechanism for the bascule bridge. Following Jones' death during the initial stages of construction, the execution lay in the hands of Barry.
Jones became an associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1842, a fellow in 1855. Despite his prominence in the profession, he was voted down for the Presidency in 1881 on the grounds that his work did not show sufficient artistry, and that he was a local authority employee rather than an independent practitioner. Jones protested strongly and was elected President at the next election in 1882. He was knighted on 30 July 1886. Jones was also a freemason, and from 1882 until his death was Grand Superintendent of Works[2] in which capacity he oversaw the rebuilding of the Freemasons Hall in Covent Garden after it was destroyed by fire in 1883[4].
Jones married Ann Elizabeth Patch, the daughter of John Patch, a barrister, on 15 April 1875 and had one daughter, Annie Horatia (1876-1969). He died at 30 Devonshire Place, Portland Place, London, on 21 May 1887, and was buried in West Norwood Cemetery on 27 May. A portrait of Jones by Walter William Ouless RA was exhibited at the Royal Academy Exhibition in 1887.[2]
All in London unless otherwise stated.
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