John Wood, the Younger

John Wood, the Younger (25 February 1728 – 18 June 1782) was an English architect, working principally in the city of Bath, Somerset. He was the son of the architect John Wood, the Elder. His designs were highly influential during the 18th century and the Royal Crescent is considered to be one of the best examples of Georgian Neo-Classical architecture in Britain.

John Wood was born in 1728, the year his father moved to Bath, and was baptised in Bath Abbey. He was trained by his father and as a young man worked on several of his father’s projects such as Liverpool Town Hall. In either 1752 or early 1753 he married Elizabeth Brock. They had two sons together and at least eight daughters.

Wood died at Eagle House, Batheaston (his home in later years) on 16 June 1781 and was buried beside his father in the chancel at St Mary’s Church, Swainswick. He was deeply in debt, partly due to financial conditions relating to his father’s earlier building speculations.

Wood began his independent career by developing and extending his father’s work in Bath. His first major project consisted of completing the Circus (his father died less than three months after the first stone was laid). His next achievement was the design and build of Gay Street to connect Queen Square and the Circus, his father’s greatest triumphs.

Wood spent the next decades designing new buildings, terraces and architectural set-pieces for the city of Bath. It appears that he did not share his father’s interest in druidism and freemasonry, but his designs show certain inspirations and themes which reflect 18th century fashions and philosophies.

During the 1770s a new more severe neo-classical style was becoming fashionable. Wood pioneered this new style in buildings such as the Hot Bath (built using the Doric order), the Royal Crescent and the Bath Assembly Rooms. These buildings contrasted with the more decorated and embellished style preferred by his father. Whilst John Wood the Elder’s Circus includes superimposed orders and a detailed frieze, the Royal Crescent – designed by his son - has a single order and plain decoration throughout.

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