Thomas Lee (Jnr)
Encyclopedia
Thomas Lee (1794 – 5 September 1834), the son of Thomas Lee of Barnstaple
, Devon, was an English
architect
. He was educated at Barnstaple Grammar School and left to train briefly in 1810 at Sir John Soane
's office, where his father no doubt placed him, but left for the office of David Laing. He was also admitted to the Royal Academy
School in 1812 and won a Royal Academy silver medal in 1816, for a drawing of Lord Burlington's villa at Chiswick
, and a gold medal from the Society of Arts, for a design for a British Senate House.
His first major work was the Wellington Monument, Somerset
. Lee's further work was characterised as "eclectic" by Howard Colvin
, who instanced the pared-down Soanean neoclassicism
of Arlington Court, Devonshire
(1820-23 for Col. J.P. Chichester), the Tudor Gothic Eggesford House, Devon (1822 for Hon. Newton Fellowes; now a ruin), several "Commissioners' Gothic" churches in Worcestershire, Cheshire and Staffordshire, as well as an unusually early neo-Norman one. In 1826 he designed the Guildhall in Barnstaple
(finished 1828 and currently being restored) which makes an impressive frontage for the later Pannier Market.
In 1834 he died in a swimming accident at Morthoe, near Barnstaple.
His brother, Frederick Richard Lee
was a successful painter.
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
, Devon, was an English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
. He was educated at Barnstaple Grammar School and left to train briefly in 1810 at Sir John Soane
John Soane
Sir John Soane, RA was an English architect who specialised in the Neo-Classical style. His architectural works are distinguished by their clean lines, massing of simple form, decisive detailing, careful proportions and skilful use of light sources...
's office, where his father no doubt placed him, but left for the office of David Laing. He was also admitted to the Royal Academy
Royal Academy
The Royal Academy of Arts is an art institution based in Burlington House on Piccadilly, London. The Royal Academy of Arts has a unique position in being an independent, privately funded institution led by eminent artists and architects whose purpose is to promote the creation, enjoyment and...
School in 1812 and won a Royal Academy silver medal in 1816, for a drawing of Lord Burlington's villa at Chiswick
Chiswick
Chiswick is a large suburb of west London, England and part of the London Borough of Hounslow. It is located on a meander of the River Thames, west of Charing Cross and is one of 35 major centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically an ancient parish in the county of Middlesex, with...
, and a gold medal from the Society of Arts, for a design for a British Senate House.
His first major work was the Wellington Monument, Somerset
Wellington Monument, Somerset
The Wellington Monument is a high triangular tower located on the highest point of the Blackdown Hills, south of Wellington, Somerset, England. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II* listed building....
. Lee's further work was characterised as "eclectic" by Howard Colvin
Howard Colvin
Sir Howard Montagu Colvin, CVO, CBE , was a British architectural historian who produced two of the most outstanding works of scholarship in his field.-Life and works:...
, who instanced the pared-down Soanean neoclassicism
Neoclassicism
Neoclassicism is the name given to Western movements in the decorative and visual arts, literature, theatre, music, and architecture that draw inspiration from the "classical" art and culture of Ancient Greece or Ancient Rome...
of Arlington Court, Devonshire
Arlington Court
Arlington Court is an English country house designed in a severe neoclassical style circa 1820, situated in Arlington, near Barnstaple, north Devon, England....
(1820-23 for Col. J.P. Chichester), the Tudor Gothic Eggesford House, Devon (1822 for Hon. Newton Fellowes; now a ruin), several "Commissioners' Gothic" churches in Worcestershire, Cheshire and Staffordshire, as well as an unusually early neo-Norman one. In 1826 he designed the Guildhall in Barnstaple
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
(finished 1828 and currently being restored) which makes an impressive frontage for the later Pannier Market.
In 1834 he died in a swimming accident at Morthoe, near Barnstaple.
His brother, Frederick Richard Lee
Frederick Richard Lee
Frederick Richard Lee was the son of Thomas Lee of Barnstaple and brother of Thomas Lee , an architect.Frederick enrolled as a student in the Royal Academy on 16 January 1818, aged nineteen...
was a successful painter.