Basic Biographical Details
| Name: | Robert Baldwin |
| Designation: | |
| Born: | 1750s(?) |
| Died: | c. 1804 |
| Bio Notes: | Robert Baldwin was probably born in the 1750s, the son of a builder or surveyor. He was articled to Matthew Brettingham who died in 1769. After completing his articles he had hoped to go on the Grand Tour to Italy but was prevented in doing so by his father. In February 1763 he was employed by Robert Mylne at £50 per annum. He was the clerk responsible for Blackfriars Bridge until 1766. From 1762 onwards he exhibited regularly at the Society of Artists and Free Society of Artists and in 1764 and 1765 he was awarded prizes for architectural drawings by the Society of Arts. In 1768 he obtained the post of assistant to George Dance, the City Surveyor. He later claimed to be Dance's partner which caused trouble. He never seems to have worked in independent practice. Sir John Soane helped him out with sums of money later in his life. There is no known executed work by him. However he produced various unexecuted designs including a scheme for a record office in Edinburgh in 1767 in conjunction with the Earl of Morton, who was Lord Clerk Register at that time, a new house at Wardour in Wiltshire the following year and a gaol in Essex which was engraved. He presented an engraved trompe d’oeil section of the church of St Stephen, Walbrook to Sir John Soane. He also published two books. Baldwin died about 1804. Publications: 'The Chimneypiece Maker’s Daily Assistant', volume II (1769) [in continuation of volume I in 1766] 'Plans, Elevations and Sections of the Machines and Centering use in erecting Blackfriars Bridge' (1778). |
Employment and Training
Employers
| The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | |||||
| Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | |
 | Matthew Brettingham | Apprentice | |||
Buildings and Designs
| This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | |||||||
| Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | |
| 1767 | Record Office | Edinburgh | Scotland | Plans drawn up - not executed. | ||
References
Bibliographic References
| The following books contain references to this : | ||||||
| Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | |
| Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | London: YUP. 4th edition | ||
| Mylne, Robert | Diary | 28 February 1763 and 13 September 1766. | |||
| Stroud, Dorothy | 1971 | George Dance | pp89-90 | ||
Archive References
| The following archives hold material relating to this : | ||||
| Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | |
| British Library | King's Maps | Xiii, 11F | |
| Essex Record Office | Archive | D/DBe 01, p49 | Baldwin's CV in 'The Several Petitions...for and against a bill to remove Chelmsford Gaol' |
| Soane Museum | Soane Museum Collection | AL, Folio 1, 7 | |