Basic Biographical Details Name: | Frank Matcham | Designation: | | Born: | 22 November 1854 | Died: | 17 May 1920 | Bio Notes: | Frank Matcham was born on 22 November 1854 at Newton Abbot, Devon, the second child of Charles Matcham, brewery manager, and his wife Elizabeth. The family moved shortly afterwards to Mary Bridgeman's Torquay Brewery and Frank was educated at Babbacombe School. Around 1868 he was articled to George Soudon Bridgeman, architect and civil engineer in Torquay, but he moved to London to re-commence his apprenticeship, this time as a quantity surveyor. He then returned to Bridgeman as a senior assistant. Sometime in 1876 or early 1877 he returned to London to work for the theatre architect Jethro Thomas Robinson, theatre consultant to the Lord Chamberlain. On 9 July 1877 he married Robinson's younger daughter Maria, and when Robinson died suddenly a year later Matcham inherited his practice.
Matcham built up the largest theatre practice in Britain but never joined the RIBA. He died at Southend, Essex on 17 May 1920. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Torquay, Devon, England | Private | | | | | Southend, Essex, England | Private | | 1920 | | | London, England | Business | c. 1877 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | George Soudon Bridgeman | c. 1868 | | Apprentice | Returned as senior assistant | | Jethro Thomas Robinson | 1876 or 1877 | 1878 | Assistant | |
Employees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | Eric Kingdon Rowe | 24 November 1935 | For Licentiateship |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Walker, Brian | | Frank Matcham Theatre Architect | | | |
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