The Architect and His Wife

Ridley, Jane

ISBN 10: 0701172010 / ISBN 13: 9780701172015

Published by Chatto & Windus, 2002

About this Item

A very good+ hardback copy. This is a former library book, in a transparent protective plastic sleeve, but the library IDs are not excessive or obtrusive and this is a very good copy indeed. 1st edition,1st printing. Large 8vo, 484pp, colour and b/w photo illustrations. Chatto & Windus 2002 The work of Edwin Lutyens variously includes the Cenotaph in Whitehall, vast Imperialist buildings in India (including much of New Delhi), Queen Mary's dolls' house and Hampstead Garden Suburb. But his greatest heritage is the traditional Edwardian country house, an architectural style he made his own, using local materials and often working with Gertrude Jekyll who designed the gardens for his family homes. This is a full biography of a witty, complex personality, a man who had little formal education, who loved jokes and hated growing up. He was the intimate of many famous families of his day. His wife, Emily, fell in love with Krishnamurti, 23 years her junior and believed to be the reincarnation of a god, and she thereafter spent her time and his money promoting Theosophy, a Hindu-inspired cult. Lutyens' failure to find a common language with Emily possibly drove him to seek the communication through the language of architecture which characterizes his best work We pack our books properly and ship daily from the UK.

Seller Inventory # ABE-1749043619514

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Architect and His Wife
• Publisher: Chatto & Windus
• Publication Date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0701172010
• ISBN 13: 9780701172015
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

A lively new biography of the greatest English architect since Christopher Wren.

Edwin Lutyens (1869–1944) designed the Cenotaph in Whitehall, vast Imperialist buildings in India (including much of New Delhi), Queen Mary’s dolls’ house and Hampstead Garden Suburb. But his greatest heritage is the traditional Edwardian country house. This is the full biography of this witty, complex man who had little formal education, loved jokes and hated growing up. It was authorized by his last surviving daughter, Mary, who died last year.

About the Author

Jane Ridley, Lutyen’s great-granddaughter, is an historian at Buckingham University. Her previous books include The Letters of Arthur Balfour and Lady Elcho and a biography of the young Disraeli.