Thomas Leverton Donaldson
Encyclopedia
Thomas Leverton Donaldson (19 October 1795 – 1 August 1885) was an English architect.
He was born in Bloomsbury Square
, London
, the eldest son of architect, James Donaldson. His maternal uncle was Thomas Leverton (1743–1824), a distinguished architect sometimes credited with the south range of Bedford Square
in London [see External Links, below].
Donaldson travelled overseas after leaving school, obtaining a clerical job with a merchant on the Cape of Good Hope
before volunteering for an expedition to attack the French-controlled island of Mauritius
. Once back in London, he was employed in his father's office, before travelling to Italy and Greece to broaden his experience. His first significant work was the church of Holy Trinity in South Kensington
, London (built 1826-1829).
With Jacques Ignace Hittorff
and Charles Robert Cockerell
, Donaldson was also a member of the committee formed in 1836 to determine whether the Elgin Marbles
and other Greek statuary in the British Museum
had originally been coloured (see Transactions of the Royal Institute of British Architects for 1842).
Donaldson pioneered the academic study of architecture
and in 1841 became the first Professor of Architecture at University College, London (UCL) - a post he retained until 1865. He was also a co-founder of the Royal Institute of British Architects
, being President in 1863-4 and being awarded the RIBA Royal Gold Medal
in 1851.
Donaldson reworked substantial sections of the Wilkins
building at UCL, and designed the Flaxman Gallery and library buildings. He also designed All Saints Church in London's Gordon Street, and was involved with the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Donaldson died in Upper Bedford Place, Bloomsbury, and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
, London.http://www.brompton.org/Residents.htmdomain taken over by advertiser Aug 2009
He was born in Bloomsbury Square
Bloomsbury Square
Bloomsbury Square is a garden square in Bloomsbury, Camden, London.- Geography :To the north of the square is Great Russell Street and Bedford Place, leading to Russell Square. To the south is Bloomsbury Way. To the west is the British Museum and Holborn tube station is the nearest underground...
, 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...
, the eldest son of architect, James Donaldson. His maternal uncle was Thomas Leverton (1743–1824), a distinguished architect sometimes credited with the south range of Bedford Square
Bedford Square
Bedford Square is a square in the Bloomsbury district of the Borough of Camden in London, England.Built between 1775 and 1783 as an upper middle class residential area, the sqare has had many distinguished residents, including Lord Eldon, one of Britain's longest serving and most celebrated Lord...
in London [see External Links, below].
Donaldson travelled overseas after leaving school, obtaining a clerical job with a merchant on the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope
The Cape of Good Hope is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula, South Africa.There is a misconception that the Cape of Good Hope is the southern tip of Africa, because it was once believed to be the dividing point between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans. In fact, the...
before volunteering for an expedition to attack the French-controlled island of Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius , officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about east of Madagascar...
. Once back in London, he was employed in his father's office, before travelling to Italy and Greece to broaden his experience. His first significant work was the church of Holy Trinity in South Kensington
South Kensington
South Kensington is a district in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea in London. It is a built-up area located 2.4 miles west south-west of Charing Cross....
, London (built 1826-1829).
With Jacques Ignace Hittorff
Jacques Ignace Hittorff
Jakob Ignaz Hittorff was a German-born French architect who combined advanced structural use of new materials, notably cast iron, with conservative Beaux-Arts classicism in a career that spanned the decades from the Restoration to the Second Empire.After serving an apprenticeship to a mason in his...
and Charles Robert Cockerell
Charles Robert Cockerell
Charles Robert Cockerell was an English architect, archaeologist, and writer.-Life:Charles Robert Cockerell was educated at Westminster School from 1802. From the age of sixteen, he trained in the architectural practice of his father, Samuel Pepys Cockerell...
, Donaldson was also a member of the committee formed in 1836 to determine whether the Elgin Marbles
Elgin Marbles
The Parthenon Marbles, forming a part of the collection known as the Elgin Marbles , are a collection of classical Greek marble sculptures , inscriptions and architectural members that originally were part of the Parthenon and other buildings on the Acropolis of Athens...
and other Greek statuary in 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...
had originally been coloured (see Transactions of the Royal Institute of British Architects for 1842).
Donaldson pioneered the academic study of architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
and in 1841 became the first Professor of Architecture at University College, London (UCL) - a post he retained until 1865. He was also a co-founder 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:...
, being President in 1863-4 and being awarded the RIBA Royal Gold Medal
Royal Gold Medal
The Royal Gold Medal for architecture is awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects on behalf of the British monarch, in recognition of an individual's or group's substantial contribution to international architecture....
in 1851.
Donaldson reworked substantial sections of the Wilkins
William Wilkins (architect)
William Wilkins RA was an English architect, classical scholar and archaeologist. He designed the National Gallery and University College in London, and buildings for several Cambridge colleges.-Life:...
building at UCL, and designed the Flaxman Gallery and library buildings. He also designed All Saints Church in London's Gordon Street, and was involved with the Great Exhibition of 1851.
Donaldson died in Upper Bedford Place, Bloomsbury, and is buried in Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery
Brompton Cemetery is located near Earl's Court in South West London, England . It is managed by The Royal Parks and is one of the Magnificent Seven...
, London.http://www.brompton.org/Residents.htmdomain taken over by advertiser Aug 2009