James Fergusson Paintings

James Fergusson was a Scottish historian of architecture born on 22 January 1808 in Ayr, Scotland. Not to be confused with the contemporary artist of a similar name, Fergusson was known for his extensive studies and writings on the subject of world architecture. He was not formally trained as an architect, but he became one of the most influential historians of architecture during the 19th century.

Fergusson began his career in an entirely different field, starting out in the commercial world. However, his interests in architecture were piqued during his travels to the East Indies for business purposes. It was during these travels that he began to study and document the architecture he encountered, particularly in India.

His most significant contribution to the field was his book 'The Illustrated Handbook of Architecture' (1855), which provided a comprehensive survey of world architecture. Fergusson's work was notable for its breadth, covering architecture from a variety of cultures and periods. He was particularly interested in the historical development of architectural styles and the way that different societies approached building and design.

Fergusson's interest in Eastern architecture also led him to write 'The History of Indian and Eastern Architecture' (1876), which was one of the first major studies of its kind and remained a standard reference for many years. In recognition of his contribution to the study of Indian architecture, he was awarded the gold medal of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Throughout his career, Fergusson was a prolific writer and published numerous books on architecture. He was also a member of various cultural and academic societies, including the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Fergusson's work helped to legitimize the study of non-Western architecture and contributed significantly to the field of comparative architectural history.

James Fergusson passed away on 9 January 1886 in London, England. He left behind a legacy as a foundational figure in architectural history, whose scholarship laid the groundwork for modern studies of global architectural traditions.