The Office of Works was an organisation responsible for structures and exterior spaces, first established as part of the
English royal household in 1378 to oversee the building and maintenance of the royal castles and residences.
In 1832 it became the Works Department within the
Office of Woods, Forests, Land Revenues, Works and Buildings. It was reconstituted as a government department in 1851, which in 1940 became part of the
Ministry of Works.
Organisation and key positions
Surveyor, Comptroller and Architect
The organisation of the office varied; senior posts included Surveyor of the King's Works (1578–1782) and Comptroller of the King's Works (1423–1782). In 1782 these offices were merged into Surveyor-General and Comptroller.
After the death of the Surveyor-General and Comptroller
James Wyatt
James Wyatt (3 August 1746 – 4 September 1813) was an English architect, a rival of Robert Adam in the Neoclassicism, neoclassical and neo-Gothic styles. He was elected to the Royal Academy of Arts in 1785 and was its president from 1805 to ...
in 1813, a non-professional Surveyor-General was appointed: Major-General Sir
Benjamin Stephenson. He was assisted by three "Attached Architects": Sir
John Soane
Sir John Soane (; né Soan; 10 September 1753 – 20 January 1837) was an English architect who specialised in the Neoclassical architecture, Neo-Classical style. The son of a bricklayer, he rose to the top of his profession, becoming professor ...
,
John Nash and Sir
Robert Smirke. This arrangement ended in 1832 with the formation of the Works Department, when architect
Henry Hake Seward was appointed Surveyor of Works and Buildings.
Other positions included Surveyor of the King's Private Roads, various roles with responsibility for gardens, and later, Deputy Surveyor.
Administrative positions
The office also had posts of Secretary, Master Mason and Master Carpenter.
References
Sources
*
H. M. Colvin, ''A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840'' (1997)
*
H. M. Colvin, ''The History of the King's Works'', London: H.M.S.O. (1963–1982)
**
** (v.3,pt 1)
** (v.4,pt 2)
** (v.5)
** (v.6)
** (Plans 5-7)
External links
Parliamentary Archives, Records of the Office of Works, 1378-1940
{{Authority control
1378 establishments in England
Works
Works may refer to:
People
* Caddy Works (1896–1982), American college sports coach
* John D. Works (1847–1928), California senator and judge
* Samuel Works (c. 1781–1868), New York politician
Albums
* ''Works'' (Pink Floyd album), a Pi ...
Material culture of royal courts