Famous Freemasons - Nicholas Hawksmoor (1661 - 1736)
Nicholas Hawksmoor - Perhaps the first Professional Architect
Food For Thought
Nicholas Hawksorth is not so well known as his predeccesor Sir Christopher Wren, or his contemporary John Vanbrugh. However, the facade of Westminster Abbey is as well known as Wren's St. Pauls Cathedral, and it is salient to remember that Hawksworth was Wren's clerk of works on most of his most famous buildings.
A list of the buildings he worked on is long -
With Sir Christopher Wren - Chelsea Hospital, St. Pauls Cathedral, Hamton Court Palce, Greenwich hospital etc.
With John Vanbrugh - Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace
And among the most prominent ones by himself - All Soul's College Oxford, Clarendon Court, and the West towers of Westminster Abbey. He also completed 6 churches after the fire of London
Some years ago I compiled an article on this famous Freemason for the Alpha Gazette, sourcing information a very concise biography of the man (Source: arrisdigital). This Famous Freemason article coincided with the completion of the refurbishment of the Church of St. George's Bloomsbury in London. An article on the BBC website gave an in depth look at the restoration and the visit by the Grand Master of England, His excellency the Duke of Kent visited the site. It provides us as Freemasons an excellent source as to the skill and dedication of our operative brothers.
Nicholas Hawksmoor pages from that Alpha Gazette
A list of the buildings he worked on is long -
With Sir Christopher Wren - Chelsea Hospital, St. Pauls Cathedral, Hamton Court Palce, Greenwich hospital etc.
With John Vanbrugh - Castle Howard and Blenheim Palace
And among the most prominent ones by himself - All Soul's College Oxford, Clarendon Court, and the West towers of Westminster Abbey. He also completed 6 churches after the fire of London
Some years ago I compiled an article on this famous Freemason for the Alpha Gazette, sourcing information a very concise biography of the man (Source: arrisdigital). This Famous Freemason article coincided with the completion of the refurbishment of the Church of St. George's Bloomsbury in London. An article on the BBC website gave an in depth look at the restoration and the visit by the Grand Master of England, His excellency the Duke of Kent visited the site. It provides us as Freemasons an excellent source as to the skill and dedication of our operative brothers.
Nicholas Hawksmoor pages from that Alpha Gazette