Webb, Aston, Sir, 1849-1930

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Sir Aston Webb (1849-1930), London architect, designed many large public commissions throughout England between 1875-1915; worked with E. Ingress Bell and later with his son Maurice Webb.

From the description of Sir Aston Webb drawings, 1868-1936. (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 28387913

Born, London,1849; President, Architectural Association, 1884; President, Royal Institute of British Architects, 1902-1904; Knighted, 1904; Royal Gold medallist, Architecture, English, 1905, American, 1907; President, Royal Academy, 1919; works included Buckingham Palace, Admiralty Arch, Victoria and Albert Museum, Royal College of Science and Imperial College; died, 1930. Publications: include: London of the Future editor (London, 1921).

From the guide to the WEBB, Sir Aston (1849-1930), 1908-1920, (Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine)

Aston Webb was born in London in 1849, the son of a successful painter, Edward Webb. He received his early training in architecture articled to the firm of Banks and Barry (1866-1871). When his tenure there ended he spent a year traveling throughout Europe and Asia Minor. In 1873 he won the Pugin Studentship and toured Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. On his return to London in 1874, Webb established his own architectural practice, which by the turn of the century was the largest in England. His earliest works include the Church of St. John, Oxfordshire (1875); almshouses at Worcester (1878); and a granary at Deptford (1880). Webb began working with E. Ingress Bell (1836 or 37-1914) in the early 1880s and the pair secured their first important commission with a winning design for the Victoria Law Courts in Birmingham (1886). For the next 23 years, Webb and Bell completed numerous large public building projects. The two were official partners from 1902-1909. During Webb's later career, he was assisted by his sons, Maurice and Philip.

In Webb's early design work with Bell he employed a wide variety of architectural styles. Historians consider these works his most original. They include the new frontage for the Victoria and Albert Museum in South Kensington (1891); the Royal United Services Institute, Whitehall, London (1893-1895); the design for the Royal Naval College at Dartmouth (c.1900); and the University of Birmingham (1900-1909).

In 1901 Webb won a limited competition for the Queen Victoria Memorial and mall approach to Buckingham Palace. Subsequent work at Buckingham included the Admiralty Arch (1908-1909), and a new design for the east frontage of the Palace (1912-1913). Webb's work at Buckingham reflects an increased classical influence indicative of the times.

Throughout his career Webb worked actively in professional organizations and at promoting a professional image for architects. He joined the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1883 and served as president from 1902-1904. He was elected to the Royal Acadamy as an associate in 1899, full academician in 1903, and served as acting president from 1919-1924. Webb was knighted in 1904, received the Royal Gold Medal in Architecture in 1905 and the first recipient of the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 1907.

Webb showed political and social astuteness by repeatedly securing both public and private large scale commissions. He was a model professional, leading a conservative lifestyle and effectively managing his firm. Webb died in 1930 and is memorialized at St. Paul's Cathedral, London.

Major works include Christ's Hospital School, Sussex (1893-1902); the Imperial College of Science, South Kensington (1900-1906); King's College, Cambridge (1908); the Royal School of Mines, South Kensington (1909-1913).

From the guide to the Sir Aston Webb (1849-1930) Drawings, photographs, printed material, English architecture WEBB Accession information: 1983029., 1968-1936, (Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Webb, Aston, Sir, 1849-1930. Autograph letter signed : London, to T.J. Cobden Sanderson, 1918?. Pierpont Morgan Library.
creatorOf Webb, Aston, Sir, 1849-1930. Sir Aston Webb drawings, 1868-1936. University of Texas Libraries
creatorOf WEBB, Sir Aston (1849-1930), 1908-1920 Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine
creatorOf Sir Aston Webb (1849-1930) Drawings, photographs, printed material, English architecture WEBB Accession information: 1983029., 1968-1936 Alexander Architectural Archive, University of Texas Libraries, The University of Texas at Austin.
referencedIn Cass Gilbert Collection, 1883-1952 New-York Historical Society
referencedIn Sir William Rothenstein correspondence and other papers, 1887-1957. Houghton Library
referencedIn Scientists Collection, 1563-1973 American Philosophical Society
referencedIn Cass Gilbert Papers, 1841-1961, (bulk 1886-1934) Library of Congress. Manuscript Division
creatorOf Webb, Aston, Sir, 1849-1930. Dover [model]. Centre canadien d'architecture, | Canadian Centre for Architecture | CCA
creatorOf Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934. Cass Gilbert collection, 1883-1952 (bulk 1900-1934). Churchill County Museum
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Admiralty Arch, Buckingham Palace (London, Eng.) corporateBody
associatedWith Army & Navy Cooperative Society, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Bela, Madame person
associatedWith Bell, Edward Ingress person
associatedWith Birmingham New Law Courts (Birmingham, Eng.) corporateBody
associatedWith Brittania Royal Naval College corporateBody
associatedWith Camberwell Borough Council corporateBody
associatedWith Campbell Newington, Esq. person
associatedWith Cobden-Sanderson, T. J. (Thomas James), 1840-1922, person
associatedWith Commercial Union Assurance Company, Ltd. corporateBody
associatedWith Cowdray, Lord person
associatedWith Denstone College corporateBody
associatedWith Eltsbacher, J. E., Esq. person
associatedWith Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934. person
associatedWith Howell's School corporateBody
associatedWith Imperial College of Science and Technology (London, Eng.) corporateBody
associatedWith Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine corporateBody
associatedWith London, City of corporateBody
associatedWith Malvern College corporateBody
associatedWith Morries, J. M. person
correspondedWith Rothenstein, William, Sir, 1872-1945 person
associatedWith Royal United Service Institution (Great Britain) corporateBody
associatedWith Russell School corporateBody
associatedWith Seely, Charles person
associatedWith Shepard's Bush Flats (London, Eng.) corporateBody
associatedWith Stock Exchange War Memorial and Chapel Court Entrance (London, Eng.) corporateBody
associatedWith University of Cambridge. corporateBody
associatedWith Victoria and Albert Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Victoria and Albert Museum. corporateBody
associatedWith Wakeman, Sir Offley, Bart. person
associatedWith Webb, Aston, Sir person
associatedWith Webb, Maurice Everett person
associatedWith Webb, Maurice Everett, 1880-1939. person
associatedWith Webb, Philip Edward person
associatedWith Webb, Philip Edward, 1831-1915. person
associatedWith Westminster Abbey? corporateBody
associatedWith Woodward, William person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Great Britain
England
Subject
Architecture, Domestic
Architects
Architecture
Architecture
Architecture
Buildings
Church architecture
Church architecture
Universities and colleges
Universities and colleges
Design development drawings
Edwardian buildings
Great Britain
Memorials
Memorials
Public buildings
Public buildings
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1849-05-22

Death 1930-08-21

Britons

English

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