'Born into lowly circumstances in London's East End in 1823 William Wilkinson Wardell became one of Australia's greatest architects. His crowning works are his 2 cathedrals, St Mary's, Sydney & St Patrick's, Melbourne. A leading exponent of Gothic Revival architecture of the 19th century, he also served a period as Chief Architect in the Victorian Public Works Department where he stamped his character & high standards on many of Melbourne's best-loved public buildings including his own design, Government House.
As a young architect he enjoyed the friendship and intimacy of Charles Dickens and other prominent writers, artists, and actors, but he feared for his health in 1858 due to the wretched climatic conditions that claimed the lives of thousands of Londoners at that time. To the sorrow of his friends Wardell chose to sail with his family for Melbourne, lured by the climate and the urgent need for new churches for the burgeoning population.
During his early years in Australia Wardell suffered sectarian animosity & jealousy among members of his profession. Forced unfairly to leave Victoria in 1878 he was welcomed in Sydney where he was honoured & revered as a leader of his profession. At his death aged 76 a newspaper stated: 'He closed his life of noble labours, a life crowded with artistic triumphs in a manner in keeping with the modest gentleness of his whole career.'
In this first major biography of Wardell, Evans reveals his unknown early life & influences at home in a Workhouse, his apprenticeship at sea, & his work in England & Scotland where he was responsible for over 20 much admired churches, schools, & private houses.
His architectural legacy in Australia is rich & varied but its for his 2 monumental cathedrals that he's best remembered. He lavished much time, love & exacting standards on each simultaneously so now they're emblematic of their cities & judged by architectural historians as among the finest examples of the Gothic style anywhere in the world.' (Publication Summary)
