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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
[[File:Thomas Farnolls Pritchard (1723-1777).jpg|thumb|Thomas Farnolls Pritchard by an unknown artist. Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust]]
{{Infobox artist
| birth_name = Thomas Farnolls Pritchard
| birth_date = May 1723
|birth_place = [[Shrewsbury]], [[Shropshire]], England
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1777|12|23|1723|05|df=yes}}
| spouse = Elinor Russell
| children = 3
| image = Thomas Farnolls Pritchard (1723-1777).jpg
| known_for = designing the [[The Iron Bridge|Iron Bridge]]
⚫
}}


'''Thomas Farnolls Pritchard''' or '''Farnolls Pritchard''' (c. 1723–23 December 1777) was an English architect and interior decorator who is best remembered for his design of the first iron bridge in the world.
'''Thomas Farnolls Pritchard''' (also known as '''Farnolls Pritchard'''; baptised 11 May 1723 – 23 December 1777) was an English architect and interior decorator who is best remembered for his design of the first cast-iron bridge in the world.


==Biography==
==Biography==
Pritchard was born in [[Shrewsbury]], [[Shropshire]], and baptised in St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury on 11 May 1723. His father was a [[joiner]]. Thomas also trained as a joiner, but then developed a professional practice as an architect and interior designer. He specialised in the design of chimney-pieces and other items of interior decoration, and in funerary monuments.<ref name=dnb>Leach, Peter, ‘Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls (''bap''. 1723, ''d''.1798)’, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', [[Oxford University Press]], 2004; online edn, May 2005 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/37866], accessed 1 September 2008.</ref>


Pritchard was born in [[Shrewsbury]], [[Shropshire]], and baptised in St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury on 11 May 1723. His father was a [[joiner]]. Thomas also trained as a joiner, but then developed a professional practice as an architect and interior designer. He specialised in the design of chimney-pieces and other items of interior decoration, and in funerary monuments.<ref name=dnb>Leach, Peter, ‘Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls (''bap''. 1723, ''d''.1798)’, ''Oxford Dictionary of National Biography'', [[Oxford University Press]], 2004; online edn, May 2005 [http://www.oxforddnb.com/view/article/37866], accessed 1 September 2008</ref> Pritchard worked closely with other local architects and craftsmen. [[William Baker of Audlem]], an architect and contractor, used his plans to construct [[St John's Church, Wolverhampton]].<ref>Colvin H. A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 Yale University Press, 3rd edition London, 2008, 93 and 783</ref> [[Joseph Bromfield]], who worked for Pritchard initially as a plasterer, but became a very competent draughtsman and architect, appears to have taken over a large portion of Pritchard's architectural practice after Pritchard's death.<ref>"Colvin" 162-3, illustrates the close relationship between Pritchard and Bromfield's work.</ref>
Pritchard worked closely with other local architects and craftsmen. [[William Baker of Audlem]], an architect and contractor, used his plans to construct [[St John's Church, Wolverhampton]].<ref>Colvin H. A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 Yale University Press, 3rd edition London, 2008, 93 and 783</ref> [[Joseph Bromfield]], who worked for Pritchard initially as a plasterer, but became a very competent draughtsman and architect, appears to have taken over a large portion of Pritchard's architectural practice after Pritchard's death.<ref>"Colvin" 162-3, illustrates the close relationship between Pritchard and Bromfield's work.</ref>
Pritchard's houses and churches have been described as "no more than pleasant provincial work".<ref name=dnb/> Such work includes the rebuilding of St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury, and Hatton Grange, Shropshire.<ref name=dnb/>
Pritchard's houses and churches have been described as "no more than pleasant provincial work".<ref name=dnb/> Such work includes the rebuilding of St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury, and Hatton Grange, Shropshire.<ref name=dnb/>


Examples of Pritchard's interior decoration include [[Croft Castle]], Gaines in [[Whitbourne, Herefordshire|Whitbourne]], [[Herefordshire]], [[Shipton Hall]], Shropshire, the ballroom at [[Powis Castle]], and chimney-pieces at Broseley Hall, The Lawns, [[Broseley]], and [[Benthall Hall]].<ref name=dnb/><ref name=west/> He also designed the rococo drawing room at [[Tatton Hall]], [[Cheshire]].<ref name=images>{{citation |url=http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?pid=1&id=58467 |title=Images of England: Tatton Hall |accessdate=2008-09-01 |publisher=[[English Heritage]] }}</ref>
Examples of Pritchard's interior decoration include [[Croft Castle]], Gaines in [[Whitbourne, Herefordshire|Whitbourne]], [[Herefordshire]], [[Shipton Hall]], Shropshire, the ballroom at [[Powis Castle]], and chimney-pieces at Broseley Hall, The Lawns, [[Broseley]], and [[Benthall Hall]].<ref name=dnb/><ref name=west/> He also designed the rococo drawing room at [[Tatton Hall]], [[Cheshire]].<ref name=images>{{citation |url=https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1329670 |title=Images of England: Tatton Hall |access-date=2008-09-01 |publisher=[[English Heritage]] }}</ref>


In the design of funerary monuments he employed coloured marbles, characterised by [[Rupert Gunnis]] as "school of [[Henry Cheere]]".<ref name=gunnis>Gunnis, ''[[Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851]]'', rev. ed. [1968], ''s.v.'' "Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls".</ref> These were usually in [[rococo]] or [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style, and later in [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style.<ref name=west>{{Citation | quotes = | last =West | first = Veronica | authorlink = | coauthors = | date = | year = 1982 | month = | title = Broseley Hall and Thomas Farnolls Prichard | journal = Journal of the Broseley Local History Society | volume = 10 | issue = | pages = | issn = | pmid = | doi = | id = | url = http://www.broseley.org.uk/Docs/THE_NEW_WILLEY_IRONWORKS_files/Broseley%20Hall%20.htm | language = | accessdate = | laysummary = | laysource = | laydate = | quote = | postscript = . }}</ref> They include monuments to Ann Wilkinson, 1756, at [[Wrexham]], [[Denbighshire]]; the Rev. John Lloyd, 1758, and Mary Morhall, 1765, both at St. Mary's Shrewsbury; and Richard Corbet, at [[Moreton Corbet]], Shropshire.<ref name=gunnis/>
In the design of funerary monuments he employed coloured marbles, characterised by [[Rupert Gunnis]] as "school of [[Henry Cheere]]".<ref name=gunnis>Gunnis, ''[[Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851]]'', rev. ed. [1968], ''s.v.'' "Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls".</ref> These were usually in [[rococo]] or [[Gothic architecture|Gothic]] style, and later in [[neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style.<ref name=west>{{Citation | last =West | first = Veronica | year = 1982 | title = Broseley Hall and Thomas Farnolls Prichard | journal = Journal of the Broseley Local History Society | volume = 10 | url = http://www.broseley.org.uk/Docs/THE_NEW_WILLEY_IRONWORKS_files/Broseley%20Hall%20.htm | postscript = . }}</ref> They include monuments to Ann Wilkinson, 1756, at [[Wrexham]], [[Denbighshire]]; the Rev. John Lloyd, 1758, and Mary Morhall, 1765, both at [[St Mary's Church, Shrewsbury|St. Mary's Shrewsbury]]; and Richard Corbet, at [[Moreton Corbet]], Shropshire.<ref name=gunnis/>
Pritchard's monuments can be found in churches across [[Shropshire]], including also churches at [[Acton Round]], [[Ludford, Shropshire|Ludford]] and [[Barrow, Shropshire|Barrow]].<ref name=dnb/><ref name=west/>
Pritchard's monuments can be found in churches across [[Shropshire]], including also churches at [[Acton Round]], [[Ludford, Shropshire|Ludford]] and [[Barrow, Shropshire|Barrow]].<ref name=dnb/><ref name=west/>


Pritchard designed the Shrewsbury [[foundling hospital]] (an offshoot of [[Foundling Hospital|that in London]]), built in 1760, later a workhouse and in 1882 adapted as the present campus premises for [[Shrewsbury School]].<ref>{{cite book|last=de Saulles|first=Mary|title=The Story of Shrewsbury|year=2012|publisher=Logaston Press|pages=128–129|isbn=978-1-906663-681}}</ref>
Pritchard carried out work in [[Ludlow]], including rebuilding its jail and the Hosier's Almshouses, and making alterations to the Guildhall.<ref name=west/>
Pritchard carried out work in [[Ludlow]], including rebuilding its jail and the Hosier's Almshouses, and making alterations to the Guildhall.<ref name=west/>


[[Image:Ironbridge002.JPG|thumb|[[The Iron Bridge]] designed by Pritchard and made by [[Abraham Darby I|Abraham Darby]]'s [[Coalbrookdale]] works]]
[[Image:Ironbridge002.JPG|thumb|[[The Iron Bridge]] designed by Pritchard and made by [[Abraham Darby III|Abraham Darby]]'s [[Coalbrookdale]] works]]
In 1769 Pritchard left Shrewsbury and moved to [[Eyton on Severn]] where he took up farming as well as continuing with his architectural work.<ref name=west/> He made various designs for bridges, none of which came to fruition, until he made plans for a bridge in [[cast iron]] to cross the [[River Severn]] in [[Coalbrookdale]], Shropshire, adapting the principles of timber bridge-building. A modified version of his design was cast at the ironworks in Coalbrookdale in 1777–79. Pritchard died, aged fifty-four, before the bridge was completed, but his design of [[The Iron Bridge]] led to the building of the first iron arch bridge in the world.
In 1769, he left Shrewsbury and moved to [[Eyton on Severn]] where he took up farming as well as continuing with his architectural work.<ref name=west/> He made various designs for bridges, none of which came to fruition, until he made plans for a bridge in [[cast iron]] to cross the [[River Severn]] in [[Coalbrookdale]], Shropshire, adapting the principles of timber bridge-building. A modified version of his design was cast at the ironworks in Coalbrookdale in 1777–79.
==Death==
Pritchard died, aged 54, before the bridge was completed, but his design of [[The Iron Bridge]] led to the building of the first cast-iron arch bridge in the world.


He was buried in St Julian's, Shrewsbury,<ref name=dnb/> where his monument also commemorates his wife, Elinor Russell, of Shrewsbury (married 1751, died 1768) and three children who died young.<ref name=gunnis/>
He was buried in St Julian's, Shrewsbury,<ref name=dnb/> where his monument also commemorates his wife, Elinor Russell, of Shrewsbury (married 1751, died 1768) and three children who died young.<ref name=gunnis/>
Line 24: Line 39:


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
*{{citation | last = Ionides | first = Julia | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Thomas Farnolls Pritchard of Shrewsbury: Architect and 'Inventor of Cast Iron Bridges' |edition= | publisher = Dog Rose Press | year = 1998 | location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-0-9528367-1-1 }}
*{{citation | last = Ionides | first = Julia | title = Thomas Farnolls Pritchard of Shrewsbury: Architect and 'Inventor of Cast Iron Bridges' | publisher = Dog Rose Press | year = 1998 | isbn = 978-0-9528367-1-1 }}


{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British architect
| DATE OF BIRTH =
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 1777
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls}}
[[Category:1723 births]]
[[Category:1777 deaths]]
[[Category:1777 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Shrewsbury]]
[[Category:Architects from Shrewsbury]]
[[Category:18th-century English architects]]
[[Category:18th-century English architects]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Date of birth unknown]]
[[Category:Bridge architects]]
[[Category:Place of death missing]]

Revision as of 18:47, 27 October 2023

Thomas Farnolls Pritchard
Born
Thomas Farnolls Pritchard

May 1723
Shrewsbury, Shropshire, England
Died23 December 1777(1777-12-23) (aged 54)
Known fordesigning the Iron Bridge
SpouseElinor Russell
Children3

Thomas Farnolls Pritchard (also known as Farnolls Pritchard; baptised 11 May 1723 – 23 December 1777) was an English architect and interior decorator who is best remembered for his design of the first cast-iron bridge in the world.

Biography

Pritchard was born in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, and baptised in St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury on 11 May 1723. His father was a joiner. Thomas also trained as a joiner, but then developed a professional practice as an architect and interior designer. He specialised in the design of chimney-pieces and other items of interior decoration, and in funerary monuments.[1]

Pritchard worked closely with other local architects and craftsmen. William Baker of Audlem, an architect and contractor, used his plans to construct St John's Church, Wolverhampton.[2] Joseph Bromfield, who worked for Pritchard initially as a plasterer, but became a very competent draughtsman and architect, appears to have taken over a large portion of Pritchard's architectural practice after Pritchard's death.[3] Pritchard's houses and churches have been described as "no more than pleasant provincial work".[1] Such work includes the rebuilding of St Julian's Church, Shrewsbury, and Hatton Grange, Shropshire.[1]

Examples of Pritchard's interior decoration include Croft Castle, Gaines in Whitbourne, Herefordshire, Shipton Hall, Shropshire, the ballroom at Powis Castle, and chimney-pieces at Broseley Hall, The Lawns, Broseley, and Benthall Hall.[1][4] He also designed the rococo drawing room at Tatton Hall, Cheshire.[5]

In the design of funerary monuments he employed coloured marbles, characterised by Rupert Gunnis as "school of Henry Cheere".[6] These were usually in rococo or Gothic style, and later in neoclassical style.[4] They include monuments to Ann Wilkinson, 1756, at Wrexham, Denbighshire; the Rev. John Lloyd, 1758, and Mary Morhall, 1765, both at St. Mary's Shrewsbury; and Richard Corbet, at Moreton Corbet, Shropshire.[6] Pritchard's monuments can be found in churches across Shropshire, including also churches at Acton Round, Ludford and Barrow.[1][4]

Pritchard designed the Shrewsbury foundling hospital (an offshoot of that in London), built in 1760, later a workhouse and in 1882 adapted as the present campus premises for Shrewsbury School.[7] Pritchard carried out work in Ludlow, including rebuilding its jail and the Hosier's Almshouses, and making alterations to the Guildhall.[4]

The Iron Bridge designed by Pritchard and made by Abraham Darby's Coalbrookdale works

In 1769, he left Shrewsbury and moved to Eyton on Severn where he took up farming as well as continuing with his architectural work.[4] He made various designs for bridges, none of which came to fruition, until he made plans for a bridge in cast iron to cross the River Severn in Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, adapting the principles of timber bridge-building. A modified version of his design was cast at the ironworks in Coalbrookdale in 1777–79.

Death

Pritchard died, aged 54, before the bridge was completed, but his design of The Iron Bridge led to the building of the first cast-iron arch bridge in the world.

He was buried in St Julian's, Shrewsbury,[1] where his monument also commemorates his wife, Elinor Russell, of Shrewsbury (married 1751, died 1768) and three children who died young.[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Leach, Peter, ‘Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls (bap. 1723, d.1798)’, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, Oxford University Press, 2004; online edn, May 2005 [1], accessed 1 September 2008.
  2. ^ Colvin H. A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 Yale University Press, 3rd edition London, 2008, 93 and 783
  3. ^ "Colvin" 162-3, illustrates the close relationship between Pritchard and Bromfield's work.
  4. ^ a b c d e West, Veronica (1982), "Broseley Hall and Thomas Farnolls Prichard", Journal of the Broseley Local History Society, 10.
  5. ^ Images of England: Tatton Hall, English Heritage, retrieved 1 September 2008
  6. ^ a b c Gunnis, Dictionary of British Sculptors 1660–1851, rev. ed. [1968], s.v. "Pritchard, Thomas Farnolls".
  7. ^ de Saulles, Mary (2012). The Story of Shrewsbury. Logaston Press. pp. 128–129. ISBN 978-1-906663-681.

Further reading

  • Ionides, Julia (1998), Thomas Farnolls Pritchard of Shrewsbury: Architect and 'Inventor of Cast Iron Bridges', Dog Rose Press, ISBN 978-0-9528367-1-1
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