Deane & Woodward

Thomas Newenham Deane (1828-1899) was born in Cork – his father, Sir Thomas Deane, was also a noted architect and educated at Trinity College Dublin. He joined his father’s practice in 1850 and was made a partner the following year along with Benjamin Woodward. Benjamin Woodward (1816-1861) was born in Tullamore, County Offaly. He was trained as an Engineer but developed an interest in medieval architecture. It seems that Deane left the design work to Woodward while he looked after financial matters. The firm then developed a gothic style based on the naturalistic principles as laid down by John Ruskin. This was to result in the practice playing an important role in the gothic revival in England. Their two most important buildings are Trinity Museum (1854-57) and the Oxford Museum (1854-60).