 Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details | Name: | Decimus Burton | | Designation: | Architect | | Born: | 30 September 1800 | | Died: | 14 December 1881 | | Bio Notes: | Decimus Burton was born on 30 September 1800, the tenth son of London builder James Burton. He trained in his father's office from 1816 and in that of George Maddox, where he was was taught draughtsmanship. He also attended classes at the Royal Academy Schools from 1817 when Sir John Soane was professor. His talent was evident at a young age as he assisted his father in the design of the latter's villa in Regent's Park. In 1821 he was allowed by Nash to design Cornwall Terrace and in 1823 Clarence Terrace in Regent's Park. His father was the builder in both instances.
He commenced independent practice in London in 1821 (or April 1823 according to Colvin) and designed another villa in Regent's Park, this time for G B Greenough, M.P. who was founder of the Geological Society. Greenough was to bring a number of other commissions in his later years including the Athenaeum Club. Burton was a member of the club and met a number of future clients there. Burton's first public building was the Colosseum in Regent's Park which had a massive dome and was based on the Pantheon in Rome. This brought him much acclaim and commissions from the Office of Woods and Forests in the Royal Parks followed.
Burton specialised in villas and small country houses and in picturesque urban planning such as that at Adelaide Crescent in Brighton. He was also considered to be an expert in iron and glass buildings, notable examples being at Chatsworth, Kew and Regent's Park.
Although he generally adopted the Greek Revival style, his designs were not necessarily archaeolgically accurate. His knowledge was drawn from publications rather than from the actual buildings, although he is known to have travelled widely in Europe and North America.
Burton was one of the original members of the Institute of British Architects, being appointed FIBA on its foundation in 1834. He was architect to the Royal Botanic Society from 1840. He was also a Fellow of the Royal Society and of the Society of Antiquaries.
He retired in 1869 and died unmarried on 14 December 1881. | Private and Business Addresses| The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 6, Spring Gardens, London, England | Business | Before 1836 | 1868 or 1869 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployers| The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | George Maddox | | | | | | James Burton or Haliburton | September 1816 | | Apprentice | |
Employees or Pupils| The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Henry Currey | c. 1835 | c. 1840 | Apprentice | | | Henry Marley Burton | Before 1860 | 1869 | Assistant(?) | Initially as apprentice, later as assistant; succeeded to Decimus Burton's practice on his retirement | | Edward John May | May 1869 | 1869 | Apprentice | |
RIBARIBA Proposals| This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | George Fowler Jones | 17 February 1888 | for Fellowship |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic References| The following books contain references to this architect: | | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | | | Miller, Philip | 1981 | Decimus Burton | | Exhibition catalogue | | | New DNB | | New Dictionary of National Biography | | | |
Periodical References| The following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Architectural Review | 1905 | xvii | | R P Jones: 'The Life and Works of Decimus Burton'. | | Builder | 1881 | xli | | p779 | | Journal of the Royal Society | 1882 | xxxiv | | 1882-3, viii-ix |
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