John Gwynn (1713-1786), Architect

Sitter in 4 portraits
An architect and civil engineer, and one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768. Born in Shropshire, he worked initially as a carpenter, but then decided to practice as a (largely self-taught) architect and town planner, and moved to London, where he became a friend of Samuel Johnson. In 1749, Gwynn re-worked Sir Christopher Wren's plan for the rebuilding of London. His work on this project led to his involvement in the introduction of the Building Act 1774, which improved standards of materials and workmanship. He was associated with projects in Oxford, including Magdalen Bridge, the city's workhouse, the Covered Market, and with a number of bridges across the River Severn.