John Taylor (architect)
Encyclopedia
Sir John Taylor, KCB, FRIBA (15 November 1833 in Warkworth, Northumberland
– 30 April 1912 in Surbiton Hill, Surrey
) was a British architect
. The assistant surveyor for London
from 1866 onwards, he was known as a reliable (albeit pedestrian) architect and was responsible for several public building projects in the capital.
Taylor's most active period as an architect began in 1879 with the construction of Bow Street Magistrates' Court
. From 1883–4 he judged the competition for the Admiralty
and War Office
buildings in Whitehall
, and in 1886 designed additions to Marlborough House
. He was also involved in engineering projects such as the extension of the Thames Embankment
across Millbank
. His work for museums includes the White Wing of the British Museum
and the central staircase and other additions to the National Gallery
, both in the 1880s.
In 1898, when Taylor was nearing retirement, he was appointed as co-architect of the War Office building due to the death of its original architect William Young. The added workload accelerated the decline in his health and he resigned from his post after the building's completion in 1906.
Warkworth, Northumberland
Warkworth is a village in Northumberland, England. It is probably best known for its well-preserved medieval castle, church and hermitage. At the time of the 2001 census, the population of Warkworth was 1,493.-Geography:...
– 30 April 1912 in Surbiton Hill, Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
) was a British architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. The assistant surveyor for London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
from 1866 onwards, he was known as a reliable (albeit pedestrian) architect and was responsible for several public building projects in the capital.
Taylor's most active period as an architect began in 1879 with the construction of Bow Street Magistrates' Court
Bow Street Magistrates' Court
Bow Street Magistrates' Court was the most famous magistrates' court in England for much of its existence, and was located in various buildings on Bow Street in central London close to Covent Garden throughout its history.-History:...
. From 1883–4 he judged the competition for the Admiralty
Admiralty House (London)
Admiralty House in London is a Grade I listedbuilding facing Whitehall, currently used for UK government functions and as ministerial flats. It was opened in 1788 and until 1964 was the official residence of First Lords of the Admiralty.-Description:...
and War Office
War Office
The War Office was a department of the British Government, responsible for the administration of the British Army between the 17th century and 1964, when its functions were transferred to the Ministry of Defence...
buildings in Whitehall
Whitehall
Whitehall is a road in Westminster, in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards Charing Cross at the southern end of Trafalgar Square...
, and in 1886 designed additions to Marlborough House
Marlborough House
Marlborough House is a mansion in Westminster, London, in Pall Mall just east of St James's Palace. It was built for Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, the favourite and confidante of Queen Anne. The Duchess wanted her new house to be "strong, plain and convenient and good"...
. He was also involved in engineering projects such as the extension of the Thames Embankment
Thames Embankment
The Thames Embankment is a major feat of 19th century civil engineering designed to reclaim marshy land next to the River Thames in central London. It consists of the Victoria and Chelsea Embankment....
across Millbank
Millbank
Millbank is an area of central London in the City of Westminster. Millbank is located by the River Thames, east of Pimlico and south of Westminster...
. His work for museums includes the White Wing of the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
and the central staircase and other additions to the National Gallery
National Gallery, London
The National Gallery is an art museum on Trafalgar Square, London, United Kingdom. Founded in 1824, it houses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900. The gallery is an exempt charity, and a non-departmental public body of the Department for Culture, Media...
, both in the 1880s.
In 1898, when Taylor was nearing retirement, he was appointed as co-architect of the War Office building due to the death of its original architect William Young. The added workload accelerated the decline in his health and he resigned from his post after the building's completion in 1906.