Thomas Baldwin (architect)

Thomas Baldwin (c.1750 – 7 March 1820) was an English architect in the city of Bath, who was responsible for designing some of Bath's principal Georgian buildings.

In 1775, he was appointed as the official Bath City Architect. In this role he designed Guildhall, Argyle Street, Laura Place, Great Pulteney Street and many others. In 1793, he was dismissed for financial irregularities, and as a result he was forced into bankruptcy and his reputation was ruined. Jane Root, biographer of Baldwin, writes; "he had a history not merely of imprudence, but of deliberate dishonesty".

Career

Baldwin was born in 1749 or 1750. His place of birth is not recorded, however, he was not native to Bath.[1] He was first recorded in the city of Bath in 1774. He was initially a clerk (later builder and assistant) to plumber, glazier, and politician Thomas Warr Attwood. By 1775, he was appointed as the Bath City Architect after Attwood's death. During the construction of the Guildhall he was officially appointed the position of Bath City Surveyor. He was surveyor to the Pulteney Estate and planned the development of Bathwick as well as being responsible for much of the building. Around the same time he was appointed to the Office of Architect and Surveyor for the Improvement Commissioners (formed by the Bath Improvement Act of 1789) on 9 April 1790 (at a salary of 200 pounds per annum), which he held until 1793.[1]

Baldwin married Elizabeth Chapman in St James' Church, Bath on 15 September 1779, which was designed by John Palmer of Bath between 1768–1769. Palmer was the man who would later investigate Baldwin and replace him. The Chapmans were a local political family, and a month after his marriage he was appointed Deputy Chamberlain to the Corporation of Bath. He was again appointed to this post on 7 January 1782, and again on 6 October 1783. His salary for this post, as recorded in October 1790 was 210 pounds per annum.[1]

Bankruptcy

Between 1790 and 1792 Baldwin refused to provide financial accounts to The Improvement Commissioners and the Corporation of Bath. By 17 May 1793, a committee was formed by the Improvement Commissioners to investigate Baldwin and he was dismissed on 28 June 1793. This was followed by dismissal from his other positions for financial irregularities. He was arrested for failing to provide accounts on 26 July 1793. On 29 July of that year he was freed by a judge.[1]

A creditor named Edmunds commenced bankruptcy procedures against him on 15 August 1793. Baldwin didn't contest the bankruptcy and his estate was sold on 16 January 1794. In 1802, The Corporation of Bath discharged him from bankruptcy and he was allowed to relaunch his career.[1]

Baldwin historian Jane Root, writes "he had a history not merely of imprudence, but of deliberate dishonesty." She writes that the late 18th century saw a country wide speculative boom in town building and personal bankruptcies. With Baldwin one of the lucky few to be allowed to practice again.[1]

Death

He died at age 70 in his Great Pulteney Street terrace house home, which he had designed. He was buried at St. Michael's, Bath on 14 March 1820.

Legacy

He was one of the leading architects of Georgian Bath, designing some of its principal buildings, mainly in a Palladian style, with Adamesque detailing.

List of works

References

  1. Root, Jane (1994). "History of Bath, Vol 5: Thomas Baldwin: His Public Career in Bath, 1775–1793" (PDF). History of Bath Research Group. pp. 80–103. Retrieved 30 November 2020.
  2. Historic England. "Chapel to Somerset Hospital (1034077)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 January 2011.

Sources

  • H.M. Colvin, A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600–1840 (1997) ISBN 0-300-07207-4
  • Michael Forsyth, Bath, Pevsner Architectural Guides (2003) ISBN 0-300-10177-5
  • Jane Root, "Thomas Baldwin: His Public Career in Bath, 1775–1793" (in, ed. Trevor Fawcett. Bath History, Volume V Bath: Millstream Books Publishing Limited, 1994), 80–103.
  • "Baldwin, Thomas" . Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.

Media related to Thomas Baldwin (architect) at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
Thomas Warr Attwood
Bath City Architect
1775–1793
Succeeded by
John Palmer
Preceded by
Thomas Warr Attwood
Bath City Surveyor
1775–1793
Succeeded by
John Palmer
Preceded by
Post created
Surveyor to the Pulteney Estate
?–Retained after 1793
Succeeded by
John Pinch the elder
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