What a life! In 40 years, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin was responsible for dozens of churches, cathedrals, monastic buildings, alms-houses and private residences. His work ranges from the lovely church of St Giles Cheadle and the Medieval Court at the Great Exhibition of 1851 to the ornate decoration of the Houses of Parliament (and Alton Towers!). A writer, keen sailor, drug addict, original ‘angry young man’, designer and polemicist, Pugin also had 3 wives, several girlfriends, at least 8 children – and died insane at just 40! We explore this volcanic personality, discussing in particular the ‘Gothic Revival’ which Pugin pioneered and which swept through Victorian Britain and much of the world.

Pugin Screen at The Palace of Westminster Picture Credit Andrew Davies

Ther will be a 24 protected recording of this lecture