Godwin Edward William

Biography

Edward William Godwin (born May 26, 1833 Gloucestershire) was a British architect, designer, and writer notable for his contributions to the English Aesthetic movement, which drew its inspiration from East Asia, particularly from Japan.

In 1854 Godwin set up his own practice, specialising in ecclesiastical architecture. In 1861 he won a competition for a design for the Northampton town hall and its decoration and furniture; the design he submitted was in the French Gothic Revival style that he preferred in all his early work. About that time he decorated his own house in the revolutionary Japanese manner (Japanned), the first of its kind in Great Britain. He moved to London in 1865 and between 1867 and 1871 designed Dromore and Glenbegh (Glenbeigh) castles in Ireland.

Godwin's later architectural work was on a smaller domestic scale and included houses for artists at Bedford Park (with Norman Shaw; 1875-81), which was outside London, and the White House (c. 1877) in Chelsea, London, which he produced for his artist friend James McNeill Whistler. From 1865 he designed furniture, textiles, and wallpapers for commercial production and private clients.