John Dodsley Webster

Architects, John Dodsley Webster

John Dodsley Webster (1840-1913) was much more typical of the unsung local architect than W. J. Hale. The scope of his work encompassed the whole range open to an architect: churches, public and commercial buildings, villas and small houses, additions and extensions. Capable of working in a variety of different styles at the behest of his clients, it would be unfair to compare his designs with those of the leading London-based architects. Nonetheless, he created well-crafted buildings appropriate to their settings, often on a limited budget. Although he developed no immediately recognizable style of his own, his commercial work displays deft handling of classicalGlossary Term and neo-TudorGlossary Term elements.

Born in Sheffield and educated in Mansfield, he was articled to the leading Sheffield architect, Samuel Worth (best known for his General Cemetery chapel and offices and the Shrewsbury almshouses, Norfolk Road). He then managed the Halifax office of the ecclesiastical architects, Mallinson & Healey before setting up in practice on his own account in Sheffield soon after 1865