Skip to Main Content

Architects

Basic Biographic Details

George Devey
Architect
Exact Date
Exact Date
04/11/1886
George Devey was born in London on 23 February 1820, the survivor of twins born to Frederick Devey and his wife Ann Egg, who was Swiss. While Devey's father was a city solicitor in Dorset Street, the Devey family were well off brass-founders, while the Eggs were gun makers. George was educated at Stanmore and King's College School where he took drawing classes under John Sell Cotman, followed by classes from James Duffield Harding after he left school. This picturesque style of architectural drawing was to influence the 'Old English' character of Devey's architecture but his practical training was with Thomas Little 1837-46, followed by a tour of Italy. On his return he commenced independent practice, assisting Thomas Little part-time in the first few years. An introduction from a client of his father's, the Rev George richard Boissier, to Lord de L'Isle inaugurted his career as a country house architect which was to rival that of Burn. Devey's practice in Scotland arose from an introduction to the Duke of Sutherland from his cousin Lord Granville.

Devey was elected Fellow of the RIBA on 15 December 1856, his proposers being T Bellamy, J Thomson and G Pownall. He died of bronchitis 4 November 1886 following an extended business trip to Ireland in connection with Kenmore, Dunraven Castle and Adare.

'Biography authored by the Dictionary of Scottish Architects Compilation Team.'

Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:

Private Addresses

Private Addresses2 classic

AddressClassDate From CharDate From TypeDate To CharDate To TypeNotes
Dorset Place Kentish Town London EnglandPrivatePlace of birth
Ely Place Holborn London EnglandPrivate

Business Addresses

Business Addresses2 classic

AddressClassDate From Date From TypeDate ToDate To TypeNotes
16 Great Marlborough Street London EnglandBusiness1856

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this person (click on an item to view details):

Employees or Pupils2 classic

NameName LinkDate FromDate ToPositionNotes
Percy Richard Morley Horder4020381890sApprentice
Arthur Castings201880After 1868In year 1886Chief Draughtsman

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this person for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):

RIBA PROPOSERS2 classic

ProposerProposer LinkDate ProposedNotes
James Thomson2025621856/12/15for Fellowship
Thomas Bellamy2036971856/12/15for Fellowship
George Pownall2060821856/12/15for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This person proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):

RIBA PROPOSALS2 classic

PersonDate ProposedNotes
Percy Goddard Stone1881/02/28for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):

Buildings and Designs2 classic

Building NameDate StartedTown, District or VillageIslandCity or CountyCountryNotes
Tower LodgeIn year 1858GolspieSutherlandScotlandAdditions to earlier cottage
Big BarnsIn year 1858Dunrobin, StrathstevenSutherlandScotlandConversion from four picturesque Tudor cottages to one house
Moray HouseIn year 1859GolspieSutherlandScotland
Dornoch CastleIn year 1859DornochSutherlandScotlandAdvised William Fowler on reconstruction as a dewlling for Sheriff of Sutherland
Strathpeffer, LayoutIn year 1860StrathpefferRoss and CromartyScotlandLayout
Dunrobin Mains, Fishermans BothyIn year 1861GolspieSutherlandScotland
House at Loch Ba for the Duke of ArgyllIn year 1861Loch BaArgyllScotland
Sheriff's HouseIn year 1862InverarayArgyllScotland
Macharioch HouseIn year 1873ArgyllScotlandRebuilding, gatelodge, stables and kennels

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this person:

Bib ref classic

AuthorTitleDatePublisherPartNotes
Allibone, JillGeorge Devey, Architect 1820-861991

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this person:

Period ref classic

Periodical NamePublisherDate CircEditionNotes
Builder1886/11/20*Obituary
Building News1886/11/12*Obituary
The Times1886/11/23*Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this person:

Arc ref classic

Archive NameSourceSource Cat NoBuilding IdItem NameNotes
RIBA Nomination PapersRIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum100005F v2, p174 (microfiche 80/D4)