Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720 - 1940

Architect, of London, for whom see A. Stuart Gray, Edwardian Architecture (1985), 374-379, and Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 (RIBA 2001), 942. In Ireland Webb designed the College of Science and Government Buildings in Upper Merrion Street, Dublin, begun in 1904. The Government's 'unfortunate and unneccessary'(1) choice of an English architect for the scheme was badly received in Ireland; the council of the RIAI passed a resolution strongly deprecating the decision,(2) and questions were asked in the House of Commons.(3) Although THOMAS MANLY DEANE  THOMAS MANLY DEANE was appointed Webb's co-architect, theIrish Builder pointed out in an editorial that it was 'pretty generally believed' that the design was wholly Webb's, 'Mr. Deane being associated with him as a sop to Irish sentiment'. The same article concluded that while it 'would be an exaggeration to suggest that even many such incidents would substantially affect the progress towards a better state of international feeling…it may cause some of those most nearly interested to wonder whether there are not still, despite what we are told, some Englishmen, even in high official position, who regard us as an inferior race'.(4)

In January 1909 Webb came over from London to give a talk to students at a meeting of the Architectural Association of Ireland in the Leinster Hall, which was crowded for the occasion.(5) The talk was an extempore one, 'notable for its evident and complete sincerity, for its modesty, and for an almost boyish spirit of enthusiasm that could not but infect its hearers'.(6) Webb spoke of the influence Ruskin's lectures had had on him when he was a student and presented the Association's library with three copies of Ruskin's The Two Paths.(7) The following year he acted as assessor in the competition for the new buildings at Queen's University, Belfast.(8)

See WORKS, for Irish work only.



References



(1) IB 46, 23 Apr 1904, 237.
(2) IB 46, 7 May 1904, 282.
(3) Building News 86, 6 May 1904, 676.
(3) IB 46, 7 May 1904, 281.
(4) IB 50, 3 Oct 1908, 608; 51, 9 Jan 1909, 5; IAA Green Book (1910), 32.
(6) IB 51, 23 Jan 1909, 48.
(7) IAA Green Book (1910), 32; a new edition of The Two Paths had been published in 1908.
(8) IB 52, 19 Feb,5 Mar,1 Oct 1910, 109,249,602; Building News 98, 4 Mar,22 Apr 1910, 322,549.


3 work entries listed in chronological order for WEBB, ASTON (SIR) #


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Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, MERRION STREET UPPER, ROYAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
Date: 1904-11
Nature: With Thomas Manly Deane (first phase of Royal College of Science/Government Offices scheme consisting of back portion of quadrangle). Builder: McLaughlin & Harvey.  FS laid by King Edward VII, 28 Apr 1904. Opened July 1911.
Refs: Drawings in OPW collection; IAA, PKS 0015, 0016, 0600, 0868, 1232, A08 (Dec 1905, Feb 1906), A09 (Jan 1912); designs in Victoria & Albert Museum, RIBA Drawings Collection, PB706/2(1-4), see British Architectural Library Catalogue, http://riba.sirsidynix.net.uk/uhtbin/cgisirsi/o0OqFlEgVq/MAIN_CAT/320480006/9 (last visited Apr 2009);  designs exh. RA 1906 (no. 1468) and 1913 (no. 1681); IB 46, 26 Mar,23 Apr,7 May 1904, 173,237,269,281,282; 47, 28 Jan,25 Mar,29 Jul 1905, 62,189(illus.),525; 49, 30 Nov 1907, 829; 54, 20 Jan,21 Dec 1912, 34,727; 55, 24 May,21 Jun 1913, 333,408,414(illus.); 59, 7 Jul 1917, 348; Building News 91, 12 Oct 1906, 506(plan, also 3 perspective views on unnumbered pages); 101, 21 Jul 1911, 75;   Irish Times, 23,28,29 Apr 1904, 10 Apr 1905, 24 Dec 1908;  IA & C 1, 28 Jan,4 Feb 1911, 8(illus.),24(illus.); B 91, 29 Sep,13 Oct 1906, 374(illus.),430(illus.); Architectural Review 46 (1919), 26(illus.);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 560.

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, CASTLE STREET, DUBLIN CASTLE
Date: 1909
Nature: Supervision of installation ofnew drainage system and reconstruction of old servants' quarters.
Refs: Freeman's Journal, 15 Dec 1914;  Irish Times, 15 Dec 1914 (letter from Sir John Lentaigne).

Building: CO. DUBLIN, DUBLIN, MERRION STREET UPPER, GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Date: 1912-18
Nature: With Thomas Manly Deane (second phase of Royal College of Science/Government Offices scheme consisting of front portion of quadrangle). Builder: McLaughlin & Harvey. Estimated cost: £123,350.
Refs: Drawings in NA, OPW collection, old ref. H.H.0; IAA, PKS 0133, 0958, 1233, A09 (Mar 1912); RA 1913, no. 1681; IB 47, 29 Jul 1905, 525; 54, 20 Jan,26 Oct,21 Dec 1912, 34,601,727;   Building News 102, 14 Jun 1912, 864; 106, 2 Jan 1914, 5-8(illus.);  AJ 59, 27 Feb 1924, 365(illus.);  Christine Casey, The Buildings of Ireland: Dublin (2005), 560.