Joseph Windham facts for kids
Joseph Windham (1739–1810) was an English antiquarian. An antiquarian is someone who studies old things, like ancient buildings, art, and objects, to learn about history. Windham was very interested in the past and helped create important books about ancient architecture.
Contents
Joseph Windham's Story
Early Life and Education
Joseph Windham was born in Twickenham, England, on August 21, 1739. His family was connected to the Windham family from Norfolk. His father was John Windham.
Joseph went to a famous school called Eton College. After that, he studied at Christ's College, Cambridge, but he did not finish his degree there.
Exploring the World
Windham was chosen by William Benson Earle to go on a "grand tour." This was a long trip around Europe that young, wealthy men often took to learn about art, history, and culture. Windham traveled through France, Italy, Istria, and Switzerland. He returned home in 1769 after his extended journey.
In 1769, Joseph Windham married Charlotte, who was the daughter of William de Grey, 1st Baron Walsingham.
His Contributions and Discoveries
Joseph Windham was very active in societies that studied history and science. He became a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London in 1775. This society focuses on old objects and history. Later, in 1781, he joined the Royal Society, which is a group for important scientists. He also became a member of the Society of Dilettanti in 1779, a group that supported the study of ancient Greek and Roman art.
Windham was talented at drawing. He made many sketches of natural things and ancient objects. He also knew a lot about Italian culture and natural history. He collected a very important library filled with books about ancient times.
Studying Ancient Buildings
While he was in Rome, Windham drew many plans and sketches of ancient Roman baths. He gave these drawings to Charles Cameron, an architect. Cameron then used Windham's drawings in his own book, The Baths of the Romans Explained and Illustrated.
Windham also wrote much of the text for Cameron's book. He also wrote most of the text for the second volume of Antiquities of Ionia, which was published in 1797 by the Society of Dilettanti. He helped another scholar, James Stuart, with the second volume of his book, Antiquities of Athens.
His Only Published Work
Joseph Windham only published one work under his own name. It was an article called Observations upon a Passage in Pliny's Natural History, relating to the Temple of Diana at Ephesus. This article appeared in a journal called Archæologia, which is published by the Society of Antiquaries.
Joseph Windham passed away at Earsham House in Norfolk on September 21, 1810.
