George Kelham

George Kelham was a British architect who made significant contributions to the field of architecture, particularly in the design of Bristol Cathedral and other notable buildings in Bristol. His work was influenced by the styles of Augustus Pugin and George Gilbert Scott, and he was a contemporary of architects such as Charles Barry and William Butterfield. Kelham's designs often incorporated elements of Gothic Revival architecture and Romanesque architecture, reflecting his interest in the works of Eugène Viollet-le-Duc and John Ruskin. He was also familiar with the designs of St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey.

● Early Life and Education

George Kelham was born in Bristol and educated at Bristol Grammar School and University College London, where he studied under the tutelage of George Godwin and Matthew Digby Wyatt. During his time at university, Kelham developed an interest in the works of Leon Battista Alberti and Andrea Palladio, and he was particularly drawn to the designs of St Peter's Basilica and Santa Maria del Fiore. He also spent time studying the architecture of France, including the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris and the Palais du Louvre, and he was influenced by the works of François Mansart and Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Kelham's education was further enhanced by his travels to Italy, where he visited Rome and Florence, and studied the works of Donato Bramante and Michelangelo.

● Career

Kelham began his career as an architect in Bristol, where he worked on a number of projects, including the design of Clifton College and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery. He was also involved in the restoration of Bristol Cathedral, working alongside architects such as John Loughborough Pearson and George Frederick Bodley. Kelham's work was recognized by his peers, and he was elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 1870, alongside other notable architects such as Richard Norman Shaw and William Morris. He was also a member of the Architectural Association and the Royal Academy of Arts, and he exhibited his designs at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition.

● Notable Works

Some of Kelham's most notable works include the design of Tyntesfield, a Gothic Revival mansion in Wraxall, Somerset, and the restoration of Wells Cathedral in Wells, Somerset. He also worked on the design of Bristol Temple Meads railway station, in collaboration with Isambard Kingdom Brunel and Matthew Digby Wyatt. Kelham's designs often incorporated elements of Arts and Crafts movement and Art Nouveau, reflecting his interest in the works of William Morris and John Ruskin. He was also influenced by the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Frank Lloyd Wright, and he was familiar with the works of Louis Sullivan and Adolf Loos.

● Personal Life

Kelham was married to Emily Kelham, and the couple had several children together. He was a member of the Society of Antiquaries of London and the Royal Society of Arts, and he was interested in the works of William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. Kelham was also a talented artist, and his drawings and watercolors are held in the collections of the Victoria and Albert Museum and the British Museum. He was friends with other notable architects and artists, including Edward Burne-Jones and Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and he was influenced by the works of J.M.W. Turner and John Constable.

● Legacy

Kelham's legacy as an architect is still recognized today, with many of his buildings remaining important landmarks in Bristol and beyond. His work on the restoration of Bristol Cathedral and the design of Tyntesfield are particularly notable, and his influence can be seen in the work of later architects such as Lutyens and Holford. Kelham's designs continue to be studied by architects and historians, and his contributions to the field of architecture are celebrated by institutions such as the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Architectural Association. His work is also recognized by the National Trust and the Historic England, and his buildings are protected by English Heritage and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Category:British architects