Arguably, the most significant stylistic development in the nineteenth century was the Gothic Revival; it ended Classicism’s long domination of English architecture and laid the foundations for a range of pioneering movements later in the century. The impetus for the revival can be traced to a number of diverse influences, but its physical manifestations were the products of a series of outstanding visionary architects, each of whom added his own particular contribution to the movement.

The book identifies six of these individuals whose careers span the late-Georgian and Victorian periods and who made exceptional contributions to the foundations, development or refinement of the style. They are: John Carter, Thomas Rickman, Thomas Taylor, R.C. Carpenter, G.E. Street, J.T. Micklethwaite. An introduction is followed by a substantial, illustrated chapter on each of these men which examines their lives, training, philosophy and buildings as a means of establishing their role in the revival. Their significance has long been recognised, but all await a comprehensive monograph.

This is volume 1 in a series titled Spire Studies in Architectural History.