Hooke the architect
At the same time as his astronomical observations were generating such interest, Hooke was immensely active as an architect. He was involved in the building of the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, but his role as Surveyor to the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666 is poorly appreciated. This is partly due to the fame of his partner Wren; partly because the works in which Hooke was largely involved were things such as boundary disputes and other planning matters, culverts, bridges - not major architectural works.
'...his role as Surveyor to the City of London after the Great Fire of 1666 is poorly appreciated.'
His radical plan for the rebuilding of the City was not adopted (possibly because of difficulties with boundaries) and does not survive. Of his major architecture only three examples remain: the Monument, usually attributed to Wren but certainly Hooke's; Ragley Hall in Warwickshire; and Willen Church in Buckinghamshire, built for Dr Busby. Neither of the latter two is in original condition. His building for the Royal College of Physicians and his magnificent Bethlehem Hospital (the 'Bedlam') were both demolished in the 19th century. Two statues from the Bedlam are in the Victoria and Albert Museum.
In the last year of his life Robert Hooke became blind and bedridden with swollen legs, suggestive of diabetes. His mind remained active. He died in his rooms at Gresham College, in Bishopsgate Street, on 3rd March 1703.
Published: 2001-04-01
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