Joseph Pickford

Joseph Pickford (1736–1782) was an English architect, one of the leading provincial architects in the reign of George III.

Biography

Pickford was born in Warwickshire in 1736 but he moved as child to London when his father died. Pickford's initial training was undertaken under the sculptor Joseph Pickford (his uncle), at his Hyde Park, London premises. Pickford at one time had offices in both London and Derby. The architect moved to Derby in circa 1759, where he was Foremark Hall architects agent. He married the daughter of Wenman Coke's agent. The house he designed for himself, Number 41 Friar Gate, is now the Pickford's House Museum and also a Grade I listed building. However from April 2006 the building was only available to pre arranged groups.^[1]

Pickford worked extensively throughout the Midland counties of England, primarily designing town and country houses in the Palladian style. A significant number of his friends and clients were members of the influential Lunar Society, including the potter Josiah Wedgwood, the painter Joseph Wright of Derby, and the inventors Matthew Boulton and John Whitehurst.

Principal works

St Helen's House, King Street, Derby, Derbyshire (1766-67) for John Gisbourne.
Hams Hall, Coleshill, Warwickshire for CB Adderely (1768, now demolished).
Etruria Hall, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire for Josiah Wedgwood (1768-70, now comprises part of a hotel).
St Mary's Church, Birmingham, West Midlands (1773-4, now demolished).