Robert Mylne

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Robert Mylne

Engraving of Mylne, after a drawing by Richard Brompton.
Personal information
Name Robert Mylne
Nationality Scottish
Birth date 1733
Birth place Edinburgh
Date of death 5 May 1811
Work
Significant buildings Blackfriars Bridge, London
The New River
Significant projects Inveraray new town, Argyll

Robert Mylne (1733 - 5 May 1811) was a Scottish architect and civil engineer, particularly remembered for his design for Blackfriars Bridge in London, and other works in the late 18th century.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Mylne was descended from a family of architects and builders, and was the great-grandson of master stone-mason Robert Mylne (1633-1710), remembered particularly for his work as the King's Master Builder at Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh. The younger Robert was born in Edinburgh, the son of Thomas Mylne, Edinburgh City Surveyor, and was educated at the Royal High School.

[edit] Grand tour

In 1754, Mylne set off for mainland Europe on the "Grand Tour", with his brother William. They travelled first to Paris, after which, short of money, the brothers continued on to Rome on foot, arriving in 1755. Here Robert stayed, living on the Via Condotti, until 1758.[1] Robert Adam was in Rome at the same time, and viewed Mylne as a potential rival.[1] In the spring of 1757, Mylne accompanied the diplomat Richard Phelps and antiquarian Matthew Nulty on a tour of Sicily. He produced sketches of the antiquities for a projected book, although this was never published.[1] On September 18, 1758, Mylne was awarded a silver medal in an architectural competition at the Accademia di San Luca, being presented the award at a ceremony attended by several cardinals, including Henry, brother of the "Young Pretender" Charles Edward Stuart.[1]

Blackfriars Bridge under construction in 1764, engraved by Piranesi
Blackfriars Bridge under construction in 1764, engraved by Piranesi

[edit] Projects

He returned to London in July 1759, and almost immediately won a competition to design Blackfriars Bridge over the River Thames. His entry beat a design by John Gwynn that was actively supported by Samuel Johnson. The design, with its then novel elliptical arches, excited much interest both in Britain and across Europe; Mylne corresponded with Giovanni Battista Piranesi regarding the project which rivalled the Rialto in Venice.[citation needed] The bridge opened in 1769.

His other projects included:

Mylne served as surveyor of the New River Company and was clerk of works at Greenwich.[2] He was also involved in the development of the Eau Brink Cut, a new channel for the River Ouse - a project which resulted in much litigation with his associate Sir Thomas Hyde Page.[2]

[edit] Burial

He was buried in St. Paul's Cathedral in London, having for many years served as surveyor to the cathedral (and to Canterbury Cathedral).[2]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Fleming, John, Robert Adam and his Circle, John Murray, 1968, pp.356-66
  2. ^ a b c Hots, Susan (2007), review of The Man who buried Nelson: the surprising life of Robert Mylne by Robert Ward (Tempus, 2007), ICE Proceedings 2007, 160, p.158.
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