Catalogue description THOMAS HARRISON DRAWINGS

Between 1769 and 1776 Harrison was in Rome and after his return an exhibition of his drawings was held at the Royal Academy in London in 1777. However, many of the present drawings appear to have been executed at a later date as they bear references to printed works. The most numerous references are to 'Stuart's Athens'. For example, there are references to 'vol. 3' on ZCR 73/3 f.6 and ZCR 73/6 ff.7-8, and to 'volume 4' on ZCR 73/7 f.1. This appears to be The Antiquities of Athens measured and delineated by James Stuart, F.R.S., F.S.A., and Nicholas Revett, painters and architects. Volume 1 of this work was published in 1762, volume 2 appeared in 1789, after Stuart's death, and volumes 3 and 4 in 1795 and 1816 respectively.

The 'Ioanian Antiquities' quoted on ZCR 73/8 ff.4, 6 is probably Antiquities of Iona by Nicholas Revett, which was published in two volumes between 1769 and 1797.

The 'Nicholson' referred to on several sheets is probably Peter Nicholson (1765-1844), who published many works, chiefly on the mathematical side of architecture, such as Principles of Architecture, 1795-1798, and the Architectural Dictionary, 1812-1819.

The 'Aikin' mentioned on ZCR 73/9 f.1 is Edmund Aikin (1780-1820), who published an Essay on the Doric Order in 1810.

The 'Wilkins' mentioned on ZCR 73/9 f.5 is probably William Wilkins (1778-1839), who published Antiquities of Magna Graecia in 1807, Athenesia ... in 1816, and Civil Architecture of Vitruvius, 1812, 1817.

Chester Castle, the county courts, prison, armoury, exchequer and gateway, built between 1793 and 1820 from Harrison's designs, were Greek Doric in style (see ZCR 73/21). Studies in this style appear among the present drawings.

The final items in the collection appear to be part of Harrison's designs for a palace to be built on the river Dnieper in the Ukraine for Count Woronzow, russian ambassador to Great Britain. The suggested date of these designs is c.1822 (see ZCR 73/24).

For further information about Thomas Harrison and his works see H.M. Colvin, A Biographical Dictionary of English Architects, 1660-1840, 1954, pp. 268-270.

Harrison, Thomas, 1744-1829, architect

This collection was deposited in December 1969 as part of the general collection of the Chester Archaeological Society. It was presented to the Society by Miss Harrison in 1849.

Thomas Harrison (1744-1829), the son of a carpenter, was born at Richmond in Yorkshire. He became a famous architect, being responsible for several works in the north west. Notable examples in Chester include the Northgate, the Castle, and the Grosvenor Bridge. Later in life he resided in Chester, died here and was buried in the church yard of St. Bridget's.