William Beckford (1760-1844) & Henry Edmund Goodridge (1797-1864)
William Beckford an English novelist, art critic, travel writer and politician (1784-1790) inherited one million pounds, some land at Fonthill in Wiltshire and several sugar plantations in Jamaica. This fortune allowed him to indulge in his love of the arts and architecture.
Henry Edmund Goodridge’s first significant commission was Lansdown Tower near Bath built to house William Beckford’s collections of furniture, works of art and books.
The Crimson Drawing Room, After Willes Maddox's views of Landsdown Tower 1844, Beckford Tower & Museum.
At the age of twenty four having trained as an architect and travelled around Paris he began work for Beckford. The tower was completed with guidance and input from Beckford in 1827.
His other works include Cleveland Bridge Bath, the chapel of Downside Abbey, Devizes Castle and the library of Hamilton Palace.
Edited by Derek E. Ostergard, William Beckford 1760-1844 An Eye for the Magnificent, 2001