Soane, Sir John

b 1753; d 1837

British architect, born at Whitchurch, Goring, the son of a bricklayer. He distinguished himself in the Royal Academy Schools; travelled in Italy, 1778-80. He began private practice in London, and in 1788 was appointed architect to the Bank of England which he rebuilt from 1788 to 1833, his most important work. Other buildings include: Pitshanger Manor, Ealing (1800-03); Dulwich College Art Gallery (1811-14; restored 1953 after war damage); the Stables, Chelsea Hospital (1814-17); and his own eccentric home, No. 13 Lincoln's Inn Fields (1812-13), which he bequeathed to the nation in 1835, together with his collection of antiques and a number of notable paintings, including Hogarth's two series: The Rakes Progress, 1735, and The Election, 1755. The house is known as Sir John Soane's Museum'.

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