George Gilbert, Sir Scott Paintings

Sir George Gilbert Scott was an English Gothic Revival architect, born on July 13, 1811, in Gawcott, Buckinghamshire, England. He became one of the most prolific and renowned architects of his time. Scott was apprenticed to James Edmeston, an architect and surveyor in London, where he was exposed to the design of churches and the ideologies of the Gothic Revival, a movement that looked to medieval architecture as a source of inspiration for both religious and secular buildings.

Scott started his own practice in 1836 and quickly became known for his church designs. He was a devout Anglican, and his faith deeply influenced his work. Throughout his career, he designed or restored over 800 buildings, primarily churches, cathedrals, and university buildings.

In 1844, Scott won the competition to design the Martyrs' Memorial in Oxford, which became one of his first major commissions and helped to establish his reputation. His other notable works include the Albert Memorial in Kensington Gardens, London, which is one of the grandest high Victorian gothic extravaganzas, and the Midland Grand Hotel at St Pancras Station, London, which showcases his ornate style and attention to detail.

Scott was not only limited to ecclesiastical architecture. He also worked on the design and restoration of several secular buildings, including government offices and educational institutions. His approach to restoration, at times, involved adding new features or changing the original character to reflect more closely what he believed was the true spirit of Gothic architecture.

In addition to his architectural practice, Scott was a founding member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and served as its president from 1873 to 1876. He was knighted in 1872 by Queen Victoria for his contributions to British architecture. His legacy includes not only the buildings he designed but also his influence on the development of the Gothic Revival style in architecture.

Scott's commitment to the Gothic style was also critical in the formation of architectural conservation in Britain. He advocated for the preservation of ancient buildings while his own restorations were sometimes criticized for being too invasive or interpretative. He passed away on March 27, 1878, and is remembered as one of the key figures in 19th-century British architecture.