Robert Kerr (architect)
Encyclopedia
Robert Kerr was an architect
and writer.
He was born in Aberdeen
, Scotland
, and trained as an architect there. In 1844, he moved to London
and then spent a year in New York
. Kerr returned to London and was one of the founders of the Architectural Association in 1847, becoming its first President. He was an examiner of the Royal Institute of British Architects
and served as a member of its Council; he had been elected a Fellow in 1857.
Between 1861-1890, he was Professor of the Arts of Construction at King's College London
.
He was a prolific writer as well as lecturer on architectural subjects, favouring a mixture of architectural styles, which he called "latitudinarian". His books included The Gentleman’s House, or, How to plan English residences, from the parsonage to the palace, originally published in 1864, and reaching a third edition in 1871. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography describes this as "the most lucid and encyclopaedic account available of mid-Victorian domestic planning".
His main buildings were English country houses, and included "Dunsdale", Westerham
, Kent
(for Joseph Kitchin); Ascot
Heath House, Berkshire
; Ford House, Lingfield
, Surrey
(now called Greathed Manor); and Bearwood, Berkshire
. Great Down (for T M Kitchin, perhaps related to Joseph Kitchin of Dunsdale) on the Hog's Back
in Surrey (now demolished) has also been attributed to him on stylistic grounds. His principal commercial building was the headquarters of the National Provident Institution at 48 Gracechurch Street in the City of London, which was built in an Italianate style in 1863.
In 1866, he initiated a debate on "On the problem of providing dwellings for the poor in towns"
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...
and writer.
He was born in Aberdeen
Aberdeen
Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of ....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, and trained as an architect there. In 1844, he moved to 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...
and then spent a year in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Kerr returned to London and was one of the founders of the Architectural Association in 1847, becoming its first President. He was an examiner of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
and served as a member of its Council; he had been elected a Fellow in 1857.
Between 1861-1890, he was Professor of the Arts of Construction at King's College London
King's College London
King's College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London. King's has a claim to being the third oldest university in England, having been founded by King George IV and the Duke of Wellington in 1829, and...
.
He was a prolific writer as well as lecturer on architectural subjects, favouring a mixture of architectural styles, which he called "latitudinarian". His books included The Gentleman’s House, or, How to plan English residences, from the parsonage to the palace, originally published in 1864, and reaching a third edition in 1871. The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography describes this as "the most lucid and encyclopaedic account available of mid-Victorian domestic planning".
His main buildings were English country houses, and included "Dunsdale", Westerham
Westerham
Westerham is a town and civil parish in the Sevenoaks District of Kent, in South East England with 5,000 people. The parish is south of the North Downs, ten miles west of Sevenoaks. It covers 5800 acres . It is recorded as early as the 9th century, and was mentioned in the Domesday Book in a...
, Kent
Kent
Kent is a county in southeast England, and is one of the home counties. It borders East Sussex, Surrey and Greater London and has a defined boundary with Essex in the middle of the Thames Estuary. The ceremonial county boundaries of Kent include the shire county of Kent and the unitary borough of...
(for Joseph Kitchin); Ascot
Ascot, Berkshire
Ascot is a village within the civil parish of Sunninghill and Ascot, in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, England. It is most notable as the location of Ascot Racecourse, home of the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting...
Heath House, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
; Ford House, Lingfield
Lingfield, Surrey
Lingfield is a village and civil parish in the Tandridge district of Surrey, England. It is most famous for its horse racing course, Lingfield Park. Lingfield lies to the east of a section of the A22 which runs between Godstone and East Grinstead...
, 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...
(now called Greathed Manor); and Bearwood, Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
. Great Down (for T M Kitchin, perhaps related to Joseph Kitchin of Dunsdale) on the Hog's Back
Hog's Back
The Hog's Back is a part of the North Downs in Surrey, England, that lies between Farnham, Surrey in the west and Guildford in the east.-Name:Compared with the main part of the Downs to the east of it, it is a narrow elongated ridge, hence its name....
in Surrey (now demolished) has also been attributed to him on stylistic grounds. His principal commercial building was the headquarters of the National Provident Institution at 48 Gracechurch Street in the City of London, which was built in an Italianate style in 1863.
In 1866, he initiated a debate on "On the problem of providing dwellings for the poor in towns"
External links
- Bearwood Country Life illustrated article, 17 October 1968 (extract, first page starts here)
- Greathed Manor illustrated brochure
- Dunsdale postcard photograph of 1916
- Great Down photograph of 1906