John Gwynn (architect) facts for kids
John Gwynn RA (1713 – 28 February 1786) was a talented English architect and civil engineer. He was one of the first people to join the Royal Academy when it was founded in 1768. Gwynn strongly believed that cities, especially London, needed much better planning. He even created many detailed suggestions for how to improve the capital city. Some of his famous buildings include Magdalen Bridge and the Covered Market in Oxford. He also designed several bridges over the River Severn.
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Early Life and Career
John Gwynn was born and passed away in Shrewsbury, a town in Shropshire, England. He started his career working as a carpenter. However, he soon decided to become an architect and town planner. He largely taught himself these skills. Later, he moved to London, where he became good friends with the famous writer Samuel Johnson.
Ideas for Improving London
In 1749, Gwynn got his hands on some old plans by Sir Christopher Wren. These plans showed how Wren wanted to rebuild the City of London after the Great Fire. Gwynn published these drawings and added his own thoughts.
London and Westminster Improved
Seventeen years later, in 1766, Gwynn published his own book called London and Westminster Improved. In this book, he criticized how new buildings were being put up in the West End of London. He felt that "the finest part of town is left to ignorant and capricious persons." He argued that all new building projects should follow a general plan.
Gwynn made over a hundred suggestions to make London better. These ideas included:
- Rebuilding London Bridge.
- Building a new "St. George's Bridge" where Waterloo Bridge is now.
- Creating a "King's Square" where Trafalgar Square is today.
- Designing a royal palace in Hyde Park.
- Planning a street similar to Nash's later Regent Street.
- Building quays (platforms) along both sides of the River Thames.
Many of Gwynn's ideas were eventually put into action, even if it was much later. A writer named John Summerson said that Gwynn's plan was "amazing" because it was so realistic.
Building Act of 1774
Gwynn also helped shape the Building Act 1774. This important law improved the quality of materials and workmanship used in buildings. Bedford Square was one of the first areas in London to benefit from these new, better standards.
Key Projects and Bridges
Gwynn was involved in many important building projects across England.
Blackfriars Bridge Competition
In 1759, Gwynn entered a competition to design the new Blackfriars Bridge. Unfortunately, his design was not chosen. His friend Samuel Johnson even wrote three letters to a newspaper to support Gwynn, but the plans by Robert Mylne were preferred instead.
Oxford Projects
Gwynn was especially known for his work in Oxford. His projects there included:
- Magdalen Bridge (built between 1772 and 1790).
- The city's workhouse (built between 1772 and 1773).
- The Covered Market (built in 1774).
River Severn Bridges
He also designed several bridges that crossed the River Severn. These included:
- The "English Bridge" in his hometown of Shrewsbury (built in 1769).
- Bridges at Atcham (1769–1771).
- Llandrinio (1769–1775).
- Worcester (1781).
Royal Academy and Other Works
In 1768, John Gwynn became one of the founding members of the Royal Academy. This is a very important art institution in England. Interestingly, Samuel Wale, who was the academy's first professor of perspective, had once been Gwynn's assistant.
An anonymous poem from 1742, called The Art of Architecture: A Poem In Imitation of Horace's Art of Poetry, is generally thought to have been written by Gwynn.
He passed away in Shrewsbury in 1786.
