Building St Paul's

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Description

Building St Pauls tells the story of this remarkable building and of those responsible for its construction, from the time of the disastrous Great Fire to the cathedrals final completion in 1708. Christopher Wren is well known, yet this book also considers those ordinary craftsmen whose work on St Pauls has received less attention: the contractors and overseers, the quarrymen on the Isle of Portland, the humble stonemasons and carpenters who shaped the materials. It also unravels the complicated tangle of the cathedrals finances and the struggles for money that at one time threatened to undermine the whole enterprise. By looking at such details, Campbells account reaffirms St Pauls not only as one mans masterwork, but as an incredible collaborative achievement.

Reviews

'A taut study Campbell provides a wealth of detail about Wrens construction methods lively and informative' - Daily Telegraph
'Fascinating ... enthralling ... it should be compulsory reading for students, and anyone who wants to understand how buildings got built' - Building Design
'Well-written and illustrated' - Contemporary Review
'A very clear history' - London Society Journal

Author Bio

Dr James Campbell, an architect and art historian, is Seear Fellow in Architecture and History of Art at Queens College, Cambridge. His books include The Library: A World History and Brick: A World History, both published by Thames & Hudson.