Architect. Born in London, the son of George Basevi. His education included study under Dr. Burney at Greenwich in 1811, and architect and antiquary, Sir John Soane. In 1816 he left home to study classical architecture in Italy and Greece, returning to England in 1819. In 1821 he was appointed surveyor to the Guardian Assurance Company. They were responsible for the construction of two churches of his design; St Thomas's at Stockport and St Mary's at Greenwich, and the development at Belgrave Square. In 1828 John Alexander commissioned Basevi to design Eerton Crescent, Pelham Crescent and Pelham Place as well as the church of St Saviour's in Walton Street. He may be best remembered, however, for his design of the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge begun in 1837. He also supervised the building of a prison at Wisbech and enlargements to Ely's jail, and worked in partnership with Sydney Smith to build the Conservative Clubhouse which was finished in 1845. He was engaged in the inspection of the western bell tower of Ely Cathedral when he fell to his death at age 51. He was buried in Bishop Alcock's Chapel at the east end of the cathedral. His cousin was British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Architect. Born in London, the son of George Basevi. His education included study under Dr. Burney at Greenwich in 1811, and architect and antiquary, Sir John Soane. In 1816 he left home to study classical architecture in Italy and Greece, returning to England in 1819. In 1821 he was appointed surveyor to the Guardian Assurance Company. They were responsible for the construction of two churches of his design; St Thomas's at Stockport and St Mary's at Greenwich, and the development at Belgrave Square. In 1828 John Alexander commissioned Basevi to design Eerton Crescent, Pelham Crescent and Pelham Place as well as the church of St Saviour's in Walton Street. He may be best remembered, however, for his design of the Fitzwilliam Museum at Cambridge begun in 1837. He also supervised the building of a prison at Wisbech and enlargements to Ely's jail, and worked in partnership with Sydney Smith to build the Conservative Clubhouse which was finished in 1845. He was engaged in the inspection of the western bell tower of Ely Cathedral when he fell to his death at age 51. He was buried in Bishop Alcock's Chapel at the east end of the cathedral. His cousin was British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli.
Bio by: Iola
Advertisement
