Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Scottish-born architect and engineer practising in London, for whom see Howard Colvin, A Biographical dictionary of British architects 1600-1840 (3rd edn., 1995).   Robert Mylne's opinion was sought on various Irish matters. In 1768 he was consulted about a new bridge over the River Foyle at Derry; later he wrote to the Bishop of Derry on the subject and had a long discussion with him about it.(1)   In 1786 he produced a report for the Irish Society on the bridge,(2) and, in 1787, a proposal of his own, which was not carried out.(3)   In 1770 he supplied a design for the Belfast poorhouse and infirmary, likewise unexecuted.(4)

Mylne was said to have been largely responsible for the success of his clerk THOMAS COOLEY  THOMAS COOLEY in the Dublin Royal Exchange competition of 1769.(5)   As surveyor to the New River Company in London, his advice was sought by Dublin Corporation in 1776 in the matter of the selection of a new engineer for the city's water supply.(6) Mylne recommended his younger brother, WILLIAM MYLNE WILLIAM MYLNE , who was duly appointed.  Following his brother's death in 1790, he designed a memorial tablet which was erected in St Catherine's church, Dublin.(7)

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References



(1) A.E. Richardson, ed., Robert Mylne (1955), 82,83,85.
(2) Diary of Robert Mylne, 31 Jan 1786, in Victoria & Albert Museum, RIBA Archive, MyFam\13\3, see British Architectural Library Catalogue, http://riba.sirsidynix.net.uk/ (last visited Jun 2009).
(3) Diary of Robert Mylne, 31 Jul,25 Oct,18 Dec 1787, as above.
(4) Richardson, op. cit, 43(illus.),86; see also C.E.B. Brett, The Buildings of Belfast (2nd ed., 1967), 4.
(5) Anthologia Hibernica, July 1793, 35.
((6) CARD XII, 435,436,463.
(7) Illus. in  Ted Ruddock, Travels in the Colonies in 1773-1775 described in the letters of William Mylne (University of Georgia Press, 1993), pl. facing p. 86. 


3 work entries listed in chronological order for MYLNE, ROBERT #


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Building: CO. ANTRIM, BELFAST, NORTH QUEEN STREET, CLIFTON HOUSE (BELFAST CHARITABLE SOCIETY)
Date: 1770
Nature: RM supplied plans (unexecuted)
Refs: Diary of Robert Mylne, 19 May 1770, in Victoria & Albert Museum, RIBA Archive, MyFam\128\3, see British Architectural Library Catalogue, http://riba.sirsidynix.net.uk/ (last visited Jun 2009);  A.E. Richardson, ed., Robert Mylne (1955), 43(illus.),86; P. & B. Rowan Antiquarian and Fine Books, Catalogue 31, The Eighteenth Century, No. 26, gives a full account of the selection of a design for the Poor House, citing Committee Books of the Belfast Charitable Society (microfilm in PRONI) and R.M.W. Strain, Belfast and its Charitable Society(1961).

Building: CO. DERRY, DERRY, BRIDGE OVER RIVER FOYLE
Date: 1787
Nature: Plans for same. Seen by Rev. D.A. Beaufort, 1787.
Refs: Diaries of Robert Mylne, 31 Jul,25 Oct,18 Dec 1787, in Victoria & Albert Museum, RIBA Archive, Mylne family  papers, MyFam\13\3, see British Architectural Library Catalogue, http://riba.sirsidynix.net.uk/ (last visited Jun 2009);  journal of the Rev. D.A. Beaufort 1787-88. 

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, THOMAS STREET, ST CATHERINE'S CHURCH (CI)
Date: 1790p
Nature: Memorial tablet to his brother William Mylne.
Refs: Papers concerning Mylne family memorials in Victoria & Albert Museum, RIBA Archive MyFam\25\24-50, see Britsh Architectural Library Catalogue, http://riba.sirsidynix.net.uk (last visted Jun 2009);   illus. in  Ted Ruddock, Travels in the Colonies in 1773-1775 described in the letters of William Mylne (University of Georgia Press, 1993), pl. facing p. 86;  Howard Colvin, A Biographical dictionary of British architects 1600-1840 (4th edn., 2008), 727.