Howard Colvin

Sir Howard Montagu Colvin (15 October 1919 – 27 December 2007) was a British architectural historian who produced two of the most significant works of scholarship in his field: A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600–1840 and The History of the King's Works.

Life and works Born in Sidcup, Colvin was educated at Trent College and University College London. In 1948, he became a Fellow of St John's College, Oxford, where he remained until his death in 2007.

He served on several bodies including the Royal Commission on the Historical Monuments of England (1963–76), the Historic Buildings Council for England (1970–84), and the Royal Fine Art Commission (1962–72).

Archive and library Colvin's research papers and correspondence associated with the Dictionary of British Architects, 1600–1840 are held in the archives of the Paul Mellon Centre in London.

Publications The History of the King's Works London: HMSO (1963–1982) Vol. 1–2: The Middle Ages, R. Allen Brown, H. M. Colvin, and A. J. Taylor (also includes plans 1–4) Vol. 3: 1485–1660, part 1, H.M. Colvin, D. R. Ransome, John Summerson Vol. 4: 1485–1660, part 2, H.M. Colvin, D. R. Ransome, John Summerson Vol. 5: 1660–1782, H.M. Colvin, J. Mordaunt Crook, Kerry Downes, John Newman Vol. 6: 1782–1851, J. Mordaunt Crook, M. H. Port Plans 5–7

Other works

(editor)

Entries for Charles Long, 1st Baron Farnborough and Isaac de Caus in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Calke Abbey Derbyshire, a Hidden House Revealed. 1985 National Trust.