Richard Norman Shaw (1831-1912)

Shaw was born in Edinburgh and moved to London in about 1849. He Met W. E. Nesfield whilst working in the office of William Burn. From 1854 to 1856 he travelled Europe and upon his return he published Architectural Sketches From the Continent 1858. 1856 saw him join Nesfield again working for Anthony Salvin.

In 1859 he took over the position of chief assistant to G. E. Street, formally Philip Webb. Shaw showed furniture designed by him in 1859 and 1862 Archictectural exhibitions, and his work featured in the 1862 Medieval Court.

Design for a secretaire by R. N. Shaw, RIBA.

Shaw set up his own highly successful architectural practice in 1863 sharing an office with Nesfield. His early gothic style gave way to Queen Anne revival in the 1870's. A style which was used in the building of the Tabbard Inn, Beckford Park.

He designed fire surrounds for Elsleys and Coalbrookdale, glass for Salviati, embroidery designs for the Leeds Embroidery Society and stained glass for Heaton, Butler & Bayne.

His former pupils W.R. Lethaby, J. M. Brydon, Sydney Barnsley and Robert Wier Schultz went on to form the Art Workers Guild in the 1880's.

From
Andrew Saint, Richard Norman Shaw, 1976
Jeremy Cooper, Victorian and Edwardian Furniture and Interiors, 1987