Roger Pratt

Sir Roger Pratt (1620 – 20 February 1684) was an English gentleman-architect of the 17th century. He designed only five known buildings, but was highly influential, establishing a particularly English type of house, which was widely imitated. He drew on a range of European influences, and also on the work of Inigo Jones, England's first classical architect. Pratt also served on official commissions, and in 1668 was the first English architect to be knighted for his services. He was educated at Magdalen College, Oxford, from 1637, and in 1639 was admitted to the Inner Temple, London. The following year he inherited his father's property in Ryston, Norfolk, but opted to leave the country to avoid the English Civil War, which broke out in 1642. Departing England in April 1643, he travelled in France, Italy, Flanders and Holland, studying architecture, and befriending the writer John Evelyn in Rome. Returning in 1649, after the execution of Charles I, Pratt returned to the Inner Temple, but continued the study of architecture.

Pratt's most influential building was Clarendon House, constructed between 1664 and 1667 for the Lord Chancellor, Edward Hyde, 1st Earl of Clarendon. Located on Piccadilly in the City of Westminster, the house was short-lived, and records are limited. Engravings show a pedimented house similar to Horseheath, but with short wings at each end. Clarendon represented the most developed form of Pratt's ideal, and was "among the first great classical houses to be built in London". It was widely praised, and became widely imitated, for example at Belton House. In 1669, Pratt rebuilt his own home, Ryston Hall, Norfolk, in a French-influenced style.

Little of Pratt's work remains intact. Clarendon House was sold in 1675, and demolished in 1683, only 16 years after its completion. Horseheath was pulled down in 1777, and Coleshill burned down in 1952. Kingston Lacy was altered by Sir Charles Barry in the 1830s, and Ryston Hall was remodelled by Sir John Soane.

Official works In 1663, a commission was formed to oversee the restoration of the crumbling Old St Paul's Cathedral in London. The commission obtained a report from Pratt, which recommended leaving the structure to fall down of its own accord. At a meeting in late August 1666, the commission opted instead for Christopher Wren's proposals for rebuilding.

A week later, the Great Fire of London broke out, destroying much of central London, including Old St Paul's. In September, Pratt was one of the three "Commissioners for Rebuilding the City of London", appointed by Charles II. The others were Wren and Hugh May. Along with three representatives of the City of London (Robert Hooke, Edward Jerman and Peter Mills), they were charged with surveying the damage, and promoting methods of rebuilding. The commissioners' work led to two acts of Parliament for rebuilding, the Rebuilding of London Act 1666 and the Rebuilding of London Act 1670, although, unlike Wren, Pratt played no further role in the reconstruction work.

On 16 July 1668, Roger Pratt was knighted by Charles II, becoming the first English architect to be so honoured.

Later life Following his knighthood, and his marriage the same year to Ann Monins, daughter of Sir Edward Monins, Bt., Pratt opted to retire to his family property in Norfolk. The rebuilding of Ryston Hall was his last work, and he afterwards concentrated on agricultural improvement. He died in 1684, having been predeceased by his three sons, and was buried in the church at Ryston.