Description

George Godwin (1813-1888) was an influential architect, journalist and editor of The Builder magazine. He trained at his father's architectural practice in Kensington where he set up a practice with his brother. Encouraged by his friend the antiquary John Britton, he pursued an interest in architectural history. He was also interested in new materials and wrote on the use of concrete (1836). He soon joined the Institute of British Architects, the Society of Antiquaries, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society. In 1844, Godwin became editor of The Builder and immediately expanded its scope and coverage beyond new works and architectural issues to include history, archaeology, arts, sanitation and social issues. He took a campaigning stance to improve the circumstances of the working classes. He wrote on slums and republished edited collections of his articles as reforming books. In addition to self-improvement, he promoted the use of public baths, wash-houses, charitable housing trusts and pavilion-styled hospitals. His works include London Shadows (1854).