Thomas Ivory (died 1786) was an Irish architect, one of the significant figures in the building of Georgian Dublin. He is often called "Thomas Ivory of Cork", and is to be distinguished from his contemporary

Thomas Ivory Thomas Ivory (1709–1779) was an English builder and architect, active in Norwich. Life Ivory was born in 1709. His early years and education remain obscure. His earliest recorded large commission was in his capacity as a builder and timber m ...

of Norwich.

Life

Said to have been a carpenter's apprentice self-educated, and from

Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...

, Ivory worked in Dublin under the gunsmith Thomas Trulock. He then studied under the draughtsman

Jonas Blaymire Jonas may refer to: Geography * Jonas, Netherlands, Netherlands * Jonas, Pennsylvania, United States * Jonas Ridge, North Carolina, United States People with the name * Jonas (name), people with the given name or surname Jonas * Jonas, one of t ...

Ivory practised in Dublin, and was appointed master of architectural drawing in the schools of the

Royal Dublin Society The Royal Dublin Society (RDS) ( ga, Cumann Ríoga Bhaile Átha Cliath) is an Irish philanthropic organisation and members club which was founded as the 'Dublin Society' on 25 June 1731 with the aim to see Ireland thrive culturally and economi ...

in 1759. He held the post till his death, and among his pupils were Henry Aaron Baker,

James Hoban James Hoban (1755 – December 8, 1831) was an Irish-American architect, best known for designing the White House. Life James Hoban was a Roman Catholic raised on Desart Court estate belonging to the Earl of Desart near Callan, County Kilkenny ...

and Martin Archer Shee. Thomas Roberts was articled to him. Ivory died in Dublin in December 1786.

Works

In 1765, Ivory prepared designs and an estimate for additional buildings to the Royal Dublin Society premises in Shaw's Court, but these were not executed. Ivory's major work was the King's Hospital in Blackhall Place (commonly known as the Blue Coat Hospital), in the classic style. The first stone was laid on 16 June 1773, but from want of money the central cupola was not finished. Blue Coat School Dublin -The Cupola Affair (11097851084)

Blue Coat School Dublin -The Cupola Affair (11097851084)

Ivory designed Lord Newcomen's bank, built in 1781, at the corner of Castle Street and Cork Hill; it later became a public health office. The Royal Hibernian Marine School, often attributed to him, was more probably the work of Thomas Cooley. He made a drawing of the

Casino at Marino The Casino at Marino is a small summer or pleasure house, located in Marino, Dublin, Ireland. Sometimes erroneously described as a folly, it was designed by Scottish architect William Chambers for James Caulfeild, the 1st Earl of Charlemont ...

, near Dublin, which was engraved by

Edward Rooker Edward Rooker (c. 1712 – 22 November 1774) was an English engraver, draughtsman and actor. Life and work Rooker was born in Towcester in Northamptonshire around 1712, to Michael and Ann Rooker, and was a pupil of Henry Roberts (engraver) ...

. In the board-room of the King's Hospital was a picture (assigned to 1775 and John Trotter) said to represent Ivory and eight others sitting at or standing round a table on which are spread plans of the new building.

Notes

;Attribution {{DEFAULTSORT:Ivory, Thomas Year of birth missing 1786 deaths Irish architects People from Cork (city)