Henry Keene (architect) facts for kids

Henry Keene (born November 15, 1726 – died January 8, 1776) was a famous English architect. He was known for designing buildings in two main styles: Gothic Revival and Neoclassical.

Henry Keene's Life and Work

Henry Keene was born in the London area. When he was 20, he became the Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. This meant he was in charge of looking after the buildings for the religious leaders at Westminster Abbey. Six years later, he became the Surveyor of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey. This was an even bigger job, where he was responsible for the actual structure and repairs of the famous Abbey.

Keene also worked in Ireland for several years between 1752 and 1766. However, most of the buildings he designed that are still standing today are in England. Many of his works can be found in London and Oxford, where he had homes. He also worked on many country estates.

While much of his work was in the Neoclassical style, which uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings, he was also one of the first to use the Strawberry Hill Gothic style. This style was inspired by medieval Gothic architecture, but often had a lighter, more decorative feel. Keene knew a lot about the Gothic details of Westminster Abbey, which helped him create his unique Gothic Revival designs.

Henry Keene had a son named Theodosius Keene, who also became an architect. Theodosius is known for designing the Racton Monument. Henry Keene passed away at his country home in Drayton Green, near Ealing.

Notable Buildings Designed by Henry Keene

Henry Keene designed many important buildings during his career. Here are some of the ones that are still standing today:

Buildings in England

• Hartlebury Castle, Worcestershire: Around 1750, Keene updated the Chapel here in the Gothic style.
• British Museum, London: He renovated Montagu House to become the home of the British Museum.
• Hartwell, Buckinghamshire: He built St. Mary's Church in a Gothic style between 1753 and 1755.
• High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire: In 1754, he added Gothic features to the church. He also built the High Wycombe Guildhall in 1757.
• Bowood House, Wiltshire: He designed the stables for this estate in 1754.
• Ealing Grove, Middlesex: In the 1750s, he designed this Palladian house for Joseph Gulston II. Palladian style is another type of Neoclassical architecture.
• Hartwell House, Bucks.: He rebuilt the east front and other parts of this house between 1759 and 1761.
• Arbury Hall, Warwickshire: Sir Roger Newdigate asked Keene to create designs for making this hall more Gothic in 1762.
• Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford: Keene started building this observatory between 1772 and 1776. His son, Theodosius, finished it later.
• Worcester College, Oxford: He designed the Provost's Lodgings (the head's living quarters) and helped finish George Clarke's Terrace between 1773 and 1776.
• Vandalian Tower, Harting: This was a "folly" built in 1774. A folly is a building made mostly for decoration, often designed to look like an old ruin.
• Westminster Abbey, London: In 1775, he worked on the choir and pulpit inside the Abbey. The pulpit is now located in The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Trottiscliffe, Kent.

Buildings in Ireland

• Trinity College, Dublin: Keene worked with John Sanderson on the west front of the college, facing College Green, from 1752 to 1759.

Images for kids

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  Drawing of a facade of a Gothic Revival church, attributed to Henry Keene, possibly St. Mary's Church in Hartwell, 1750s

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  Architectural drawing by Henry Keene of facade of Ealing Grove, built for Joseph Gulston II, 1750s

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  Detail of pulpit at St Peter and St Paul, Trottiscliffe (Henry Keene, 1775, originally in Westminster Abbey)