Edward J. Tarver Architect

[Paul Clerkin]

Looking into the work of this architect - he produced two structures in Monaghan for the Rossmore family, and I have a suspicion of a third and possibly a fourth. Maybe fanciful of me.

Rossmore Memorial
http://ireland.archiseek.com/buildings_ireland/monaghan/monaghan/rossmore.html

Rossmore Mausoleum
http://ireland.archiseek.com/buildings_ireland/monaghan/monaghan/rossmore_mausoleum.html



Very little mention on the Internet or in any books that I have. Anyone cast any light on him.


Tarver, Edward John (1841-1891)
President AA

[Paul Clerkin]

This seems to be his record from the 1881 census
http://www.worldvitalrecords.com/SingleIndexIndView.aspx?ix=uk1881census&hpp=1&rf=*,z*&qt=i&zdocid=854432

and was an assistant to William Burges at one time
http://books.google.com/books?lr=&id=vjpQAAAAMAAJ&dq=tarver++%2B+architect&q=tarver+&pgis=1#search


And a book, "A Guide to the Study of the History of Architecture" by Edward J. Tarver - 1888

[LOB]

some bits
http://www.churchplansonline.org/retrieve_results.asp?search_args=A=TARVER,%20Edward%20John:%20b.%201841%20-%20d.%201891%20of%20London%7Ca=4157

http://www.telfordpark.plus.com/pages/tarver.html

http://www.ribapix.com/index.php?a=wordsearch&s=item&key=Wczo2OiJUYXJ2ZXIiOw==&pg=1

St Marys Church, Westwell, Oxfordshire
Exterior view from the south west showing the small Norman church. In 1869 E J Tarver extended the nave and added the wooden bell turret
http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/gallery/450/cc7/cc73_1284.jpg

He liked a bit of Tennis & had moved by 1884
http://www.telfordparktennisclub.co.uk/History%20-%20Challenging%20Contract.html

[Paul Clerkin]

He's in the Dictionary of National Biography, but with a record stating "architect, son of John Charles (1790-1851)", who seems to have an interesting life himself. Born in Dieppe of English parents and then imprisoned alongwith his parents during the war, he was educated in France and wrote French educational books. He was Master of French at Eton for many years, and I his sons were educated there too - one, Frank, became Master of French after his death.

Which is where the Rossmore link might come in - the Lord Rossmore who died went to Eton, the commissioning brother seems to have gone to Rugby instead... just need to check my dates. So it may have been personal friendship that got him the commissions. Henry Cairns Westenra, (b. 14 November 1851, d. 28 March 1874) 3rd/4th Baron Rossmore of Monaghan was educated at Eton between 1865 and 1868. Buildings were built in 1876.

Another small snippet : Edward John Tarver (1841-1891), architect, who also had aspirations as an illustrator and later became well known for his architectural renderings.



I'm really intriqued by this now - the Rossmores had used Morrisson and later Lynn to do the castle in the decades before - but why a relatively unknown English architect for these two structures?

[Paul Clerkin]

Derrick Westenra who would have commissioned Tarver was a good friend of the then Prince of Wales, later Edward VII.

A Rev Charles Tarver who was a classics tutor for the prince from 1858 onwards was another son of John Charles Tarver (1790-1851). It seems that John Charles Tarver was previously a tutor to the Duke of Cambridge so that would suggest a family tradition of sorts.

But more importantly it would create a link to the Rossmores via the Prince.

[Paul Clerkin]

Works

1870 Broadstairs, Kent - Holy Trinity Rectory

1871Tyringham, Bucks - St Peter's
http://www.gregr.co.uk/?showimage=12
The Rev Joseph Tarver was educated at Eton and came to Tyringham Hall as a tutor to the children of Mr Praed. He was granted the living of St Peter’s in 1850 and moved into The Rectory. He married in 1853 and had five children. His wife died in childbirth in 1861 at the age of 25. Six years later he married Isabella Knapp of Little Linford and had a further nine
children. He was Justice of the Peace and School Guardian. A window in his memory can be seen in the beautiful church nestling in the fields of the Ouse Valley. Replacing an earlier church the present building was erected in 1871 and designed by Revd Tarver’s brother, Edward at the height of the Arts and Crafts Movement and this is reflected in the magnificent chancel some of which is in need of repair.

So far - three brothers: Francis, Master of French at Eton; the Rev Charles; and the Rev Joseph

[Paul Clerkin]

1875-79 / 1890 Harlesden, Middlesex -All Souls

Tarver, Edward John (1841-1891)
An architectural description of the Church
"A remarkable building of 1875-76 by E J Tarver, an architect of greater interest than is usually recognized. The church is a large brick octagon - a plan associated more often at this date with Nonconformist churches. The three-bay nave, extended to five in 1890, was demolished in 1978 (the screen wall behind the car park is part of the aisle wall.) Exterior as well as plan derive from the Rhineland late Romanesque, not then a common source. Sanctuary with canted apse, with a dwarf gallery flanked by two turrets, the windows a mixture of round and pointed forms. The centre is stressed only by a conical little open iron lantern.



The interior is still more exceptional: indeed the exciting timber construction of its roof is worth a special visit. There are no internal supports; the huge tie-beams meet in a centre star supported by arched

[Paul Clerkin]

1879 Hooton, Cheshire - St Mary's RC

[Paul Clerkin]

Possibly was a pupil of Ferrey and later an assistant to Burges.- both of whom worked in Ireland

[Paul Clerkin]

Rossmore Mausoleum, January 1998

[Paul Clerkin]

A former home of his is currently for sale in Telford Park, where he was responsible for most of the houses.

http://www.propertyfinder.com/cgi-bin/rsearch?a=o&id=503510290

[Paul Clerkin]

Hedenham church, Norfolk. The Victorian re-decoration of the chancel took place in 1862-3, designed by E.J.Tarver.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/broadsmarshman/2928154413/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/broadsmarshman/2928156789/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/broadsmarshman/2929016134/

[Paul Clerkin]

St Mary's Church, Westwell, Oxfordshire
Originally a small Norman church. In 1869 E J Tarver extended the nave and added the wooden bell turret.

http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/enlarge.aspx?index=0&uid=52421&mainQuery=tarver&searchType=all&form=home

http://viewfinder.english-heritage.org.uk/search/enlarge.aspx?index=0&uid=52420&mainQuery=tarver&searchType=all&form=home

[Laura Microulis]

Tarver is known to have designed furniture which was executed by the firm of Gillow & Company in the early 1870s. See 'Furniture Gazette' (September 20, 1873) page 376.

[Paul Clerkin]

The Building News ~ May 29th.~1874
'America' ~ Weybridge ~ Surrey
For C.H.Knight Esq.
including Elevations, Sections & Details

B.E.J. Tarver ~ Architect


I cannot find a B.E.J. Tarver listed, so hoping this is another from our guy....