Skip to Main Content
Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
Home
Contact
Architects
Buildings
Practices
Search
Admin Login
Architects
Name (Filter)
Architect Search
Clear Selection
Basic Biographic Details
Name:
Decimus Burton
Designation :
Architect
Date of Birth:
Exact Date
Exact DOB:
30/09/1800
Year of Birth :
Circa Year of Birth :
Date of Birth Before (Year):
Date of Birth After (Year):
DOB (1st 'Or' Year):
DOB (2nd 'Or' Year):
Date of Death:
Exact Date
Exact DOD:
14/12/1881
Year of Death:
Circa Year of Death:
Date of Death Before (Year):
Date of Death After (Year):
DOD (1st 'Or' Year):
DOD (2nd 'Or' Year):
Town of Birth :
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.
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Business Addresses
Business Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From
Date From Type
Date To
Date To Type
Notes
6 Spring Gardens London England
Business
row(s) 1 - 1 of 1
Employment and Training
The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this person (click on an item to view details):
Employers2 classic
Name
Name Link
Date From
Date To
Position
Notes
James Burton or Haliburton
408225
1816/09
Apprentice
George Maddox
408226
row(s) 1 - 2 of 2
Employees or Pupils
The following individuals were employed or trained by this person (click on an item to view details):
Employees or Pupils2 classic
Name
Name Link
Date From
Date To
Position
Notes
Edward John May
201656
1869/05
In year 1869
Apprentice
Henry Marley Burton
202024
Before 1860
In year 1869
Assistant
Initially as apprentice, later as assistant; succeeded to Decimus Burton's practice on his retirement
Henry Currey
206210
c. 1835
c. 1840
Apprentice
row(s) 1 - 3 of 3
RIBA Proposals
This person proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
RIBA PROPOSALS2 classic
Person
Date Proposed
Notes
George Fowler Jones
1888/02/17
for Fellowship
row(s) 1 - 1 of 1
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 Name
Date Started
Town, District or Village
Island
City or County
Country
Notes
St Nicholas Church churchyard, gates and tombs and screen wall
1829/11
Aberdeen
Scotland
Elaborate scheme for enclosing churchyard - revised by Smith
Feuing of the Queenstown Estate
c. 1840
Kelvinside
Glasgow
Scotland
Commissioned to design layout
row(s) 1 - 2 of 2
References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this person:
Bib ref classic
Author
Title
Date
Publisher
Part
Notes
Colvin, Howard
A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840
2008
London: YUP. 4th edition
New DNB
New Dictionary of National Biography
Miller, Philip
Decimus Burton
1981
Exhibition catalogue
British Architectural Library, RIBA
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914
2001
row(s) 1 - 4 of 4
Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this person:
Period ref classic
Periodical Name
Publisher
Date Circ
Edition
Notes
Builder
1881
xli
p779
Journal of the Royal Society
1882
xxxiv
1882-3, viii-ix
Architectural Review
1905
xvii
R P Jones: 'The Life and Works of Decimus Burton'.
row(s) 1 - 3 of 3