[ r i b a m s s - i n t e r n a t i o n a l]

international

The Manuscripts Collection does not contain a great deal of material relating to foreign architects, as the policy for acquisitions is to concentrate on British architects of national and international significance. There are, however, a few collections relating to architects from other countries, such as Lewis Vulliamy (1791-1871), and F.H. Herrmann (1898-1983).

Historical archives relating to British architects practising abroad are generally confined to countries forming part of the British Empire. The Collection includes records relating to one of the most celebrated projects to be designed by British architects in India during the time of Empire, that of New Delhi. Sir Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) and Sir Herbert Baker (1862-1946) both worked on New Delhi and the archives of both architects are rich sources for studying the creation of the city. Lutyens writes long letters to his wife, Lady Emily (daughter of a previous Viceroy of India), not just about the architecture but also about the society and culture of India and the British Empire. He refers to problems and disagreements, most notably a disagreement with Baker over the siting of Baker’s Secretariats, as Lutyens felt that their position obscured the view to his own Viceroy's House. There are also letters by Lutyens in the Baker papers, together with documents written by Baker that give his own perspective on his work.

Sir Herbert Baker undertook a number of important commissions in South Africa, and these are well documented in his papers. His international connections are evidenced in his correspondence, and his papers include letters by such notable characters as Cecil Rhodes and T.E. Lawrence (Lawrence of Arabia).

Other collections with an international perspective include those of Jane Drew (1911-1996) and Maxwell Fry (1899-1987), who worked in India and West Africa. The papers of Jaqueline Tyrwhitt (1905-1983) relate to work on planning and urban regeneration undertaken for the United Nations in West Africa, Indonesia and India, as well as work in Japan and the United States.

Journal of Willey Reveley's tour from Rome to Egypt, made in 1785

The Grand Tour of the European continent, undertaken by young gentlemen in the seventeenth, eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, was an important part of a young architect’s education. Many were strongly influenced by the classical buildings of Italy and Greece, and also by other continental styles of architecture, and this was put into practice in their own designs when they returned to Britain.

There are many letters, journals and diaries that document the Grand Tour, often combining detailed descriptions of architecture with more general observations on people and places. These include the travel journals of Sir Charles Barry, 1809-1857; William Pite’s notebook of a study tour of Germany, Austria and Czechoslovakia, 1882; letters by Richard Norman Shaw whilst on a tour of Europe as the Royal Academy travelling student, 1854-1856; letters by and to Robert and William Mylne whilst travelling in Europe, 1754-1759.

Many architects were involved in archaeological excavations, particularly in Italy and Greece. One of particular note was the excavation of the pedimental sculptures known as the Aegina Marbles, from the Temple of Aphaia on the island of Aegina. The sixteen parian marble sculptures were discovered by the architect C.R. Cockerell (1788-1863), and he details the discovery and subsequent events in long letters written to his family and friends.

The RIBA Archive is a useful source for international affairs, as the Insitute has always had an international as well as a national role. Records include the papers of the Elgin Marbles and Xanthian Marbles Committee, 1835-1843, which refer particularly to the classical use of colour, and minutes and papers of the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA). From its foundation in 1834 the RIBA has included a class of Honorary & Corresponding Members that many emminent foreign architects have been invited to join. The papers of election have been preserved almost in their entirety and related correspondence may be found in a series of letters to the RIBA Council.