Robert Jewell Withers | |
|---|---|
| Born | 2 February 1824 Shepton Mallet, Somerset, UK |
| Died | 7 October 1894 London |
| Occupation | Architect |
| Spouse | Catherine Mary Vaux |
| Children | 4 sons, 5 daughters |
| Parent(s) | John Alexander Withers Maria Jewell |
| Relatives | Frederick Clarke Withers (brother) |
Robert Jewell Withers (1824–1894) was an English ecclesiastical architect.
Early life
Robert Jewell Withers was born on 2 February 1824 in Shepton Mallet, Somerset, England.[1] His father was John Alexander Withers and his mother, Maria Jewell.[1] He had a brother, Frederick Clarke Withers, who also became an architect and worked in America.[1]
Career
Withers began his career as an architect in Sherborne, Dorset, in 1848.[1] He was articled in 1839 to Thomas Hellyer (1811–1894) in Ryde on the Isle of Wight, who specialised in church work. In 1844 he made a tour of England and the Continent, then returned to Sherborne where he set up practice in 1848. He became an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1849 and moved to London the following year. He opened an office in 1854 and, except for 1855 to 1859 when he was based on Doughty Street in Holborn, worked out of premises in the Adelphi, the Adam Brothers' development just off the Strand. He became a member of RIBA in 1873.[1]
His works include St Mary's, Bourne Street, as well as the restoration of St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, and James Gibbs's St Mary-le-Strand in 1871, where his benches and tiled floor remain.
Selected works
- 1863–1865: St Dogfael, Meline, Pembrokeshire – rebuilding[2]
- 1864–1866: St David's, Henfynyw, Cardiganshire – rebuilding[3]
- 1876: St James, Norlands, Holland Park – addition of chancel and vestries to the 1845 building designed by Lewis Vulliamy[4][5]
- 1874: St Mary's, Bourne Street, Westminster
- 1879: St James, Avebury, Wiltshire – chancel largely rebuilt[6]
Personal life
Withers married Catherine Vaux on 20 April 1854 at the parish church in Croydon.[7] They had four sons and five daughters. He was an organist at St John's Church, Kennington.[1]
Withers died on 7 October 1894 in London.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Basic Biographical Details: Robert Jewell Withers". Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1840–1980. Retrieved 13 May 2016.
- ↑ Cadw. "St Dogfael's, Meline (Grade II) (19167)". National Historic Assets of Wales. Retrieved 12 December 2020.
- ↑ Wooding, Jonathan M.; Yates, Nigel (2011). A Guide to the Churches and Chapels of Wales. Cardiff, Wales: University of Wales Press. p. 27. ISBN 9780708321188. OCLC 751780116.
- ↑ Sheppard, F. H. W., ed. (1973). "Survey of London: Volume 37, North Kensington: The Norland estate". British History Online. University of London. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ↑ Historic England. "Church of St James, Kensington (1226520)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ↑ Historic England. "Church of St James, Avebury (1193084)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
- ↑ "Married," The Morning Chroncle [London], (April 24, 1954): p. 8