Sydney Smirke (1798-1877)

Sydney Smirke, architect, (1798 – 8 December 1877) was born in London, England, the younger brother of Sir Robert Smirke, also an architect. Their father, also Robert Smirke, had been a well-known 18th Century painter.

1823-53, British Museum, London

Architect: Sir Robert Smirke / Foster + Partners

The core of today’s British Museum, including the great south front,

1828 – Lambton Castle, Durham

Architect: Joseph Bonomi the Elder & Ignatius Bonomi

Largely constructed in its present form in the early 19th century by John George Lambton,

1845 – Conservative Club, St. James St., London

Architect: George Basevi & Sydney Smirke

The Conservative Club was a London gentlemen’s club, now dissolved, which was established in 1840.

1856 – Carlton Club, Pall Mall, London

Architect: Sydney Smirke

The Carlton Club was founded in 1832, as a party political organisation. By 1835 its wealth and standing were such that it was able to occupy new premises on Pall Mall designed for the Club by Sir Robert Smirke.

1860 – The Arcades at The Horticultural Gardens, South Kensington, London