Somerset House

Somerset House is a large building situated on the south side of The Strand in central London, overlooking the River Thames, just east of Waterloo Bridge. The central block of the Neoclassical building, the outstanding project of the architect Sir William Chambers, dates from 1776–1796. It was extended by respectfully classical Victorian wings to north and south. A building of the same name was first built on the site more than two centuries earlier.

Current building

Sir William Chambers, the premier British architect of his day (though his modern reputation is outshone by his less conservative rival Robert Adam), spent the last two decades of his life in several campaigns of building at the new (present) Somerset House. It was completed after his death by James Wyatt.

Related Topics:
Robert Adam - James Wyatt

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It was intended to house various learned societies, including the Royal Academy, which Chambers had been instrumental in founding, and which had been among the last tenants of the previous building. Various government departments found quarters at Somerset House, and as these needed expanded space, the wings were added, first by Robert Smirke in the 1830s and then by Sir James Pennethorne, the West Wing being completed in 1856. Somerset House now presents more of the aspect of a terrace than Chambers would have intended.

Related Topics:
Royal Academy - Robert Smirke - James Pennethorne - 1856 - Terrace

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Thomas Telford, then a stone mason, but later an eminent civil engineer, was among those who worked on its construction.

Related Topics:
Thomas Telford - Civil engineer

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