Charles Barry

Sir Charles Barry (23 May 1795 – 12 May 1860) was an English architect, best known for his role in the rebuilding of the Palace of Westminster (perhaps better known as the Houses of Parliament) in his home city of London during the mid 19th century, but also responsible for numerous other buildings and gardens.

Houses of Parliament

Following the destruction by fire of the existing Houses of Parliament on 16 October 1834, Barry won the commission in 1836 to design the new Palace of Westminster, working with Pugin on the Gothic-influenced building. Work on site began with the laying of a foundation stone on 27 April 1840 by Barry?s wife Sarah. The House of Lords was completed in 1847 and the House of Commons finished in 1852. In the meantime, Barry also served on the learned committee developing plans for the Great Exhibition of 1851. Although Parliament gave Barry a prestigous name in architecture it near enough finished him off. The building was overdue in its construction and was well over budget making Barry tired and stressed. On his grave stone are the parts of the building that he designed which he felt were his and his only.

Related Topics:
16 October - 1834 - Palace of Westminster - Pugin - Gothic - 27 April - 1840 - House of Lords - House of Commons - Great Exhibition of 1851

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