Charles Fowler
Charles Fowler (May 17, 1792 – September 26, 1867), English architect, was born at Cullompton, Devon.
After serving an apprenticeship of seven years with John Powning of Exeter, he went to London in 1814, and entered the office of David Laing, where he remained until he commenced practice for himself. His first work of importance was the court of bankruptcy in Basinghall Street, finished in 1821.
In the following year he gained the first premium for a design for the new London Bridge, which, however, was ultimately built according to the design of another architect, John Rennie the Elder. Fowler's other designs for bridges include one constructed across the Dart at Totnes. He was also the architect for the markets of Covent Garden and Hungerford Market, London (demolished to make way for Charing Cross Station), the new market at Gravesend, and Exeter lower market, and besides several churches he designed Devon lunatic asylum (1845), the London Fever Hospital (1849), and the hall of the Wax Chandlers' Company, Gresham Street (1853). One of his finest buildings is the conservatory at Syon House, built 1828-30, it consists of a central pavilion with an iron and glass dome with curved wings linked to pavilions. He also designed and implemented the footprint/foundations for Mamhead House,Devon.
For some years he was honorary secretary of the institute of British architects, and he was afterwards created vice-president. He retired from his profession in 1853, and died at Great Marlow, Bucks, on the 26th of September 1867.
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The conservatory, Syon House
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The conservatory, Syon House
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Covent Garden Market
[edit] References
- Jeremy Taylor, "Charles Fowler (1792-1867): A Centenary Memoir", Architectural History, 11 (1968), pp. 57-74+108-112
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed (1911). Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
