George Gilbert Scott – not such a ‘dead dog’ after all

“George Gilbert Scott – not such a ‘dead dog’ after all,” written by Olivia Horsfall Turner for Apollo Magazine, is a review of Gavin Stamp's biography Gothic for the Steam Age: An Illustrated Biography of George Gilbert Scott.

The title of the article “not such a ‘dead dog’ after all” refers to a quote by William Morris who later referred to Scott as ‘that (happily) dead dog’.

George Gilbert Scott

Gavin Stamp's biography Gothic for the Steam Age: An Illustrated Biography of George Gilbert Scott offers a tantalising glimpse into the world of George Gilbert Scott. It reveals things never publicly revealed before and sets the notion that Scott is the greatest British architect to have ever graced us.

Olivia Turner reviews the book for Apollo Magazine, drawing from it various information points. She reviews the work of Scott and covers how some people in architectural circles didn’t approve of his work.“

It is on the question of architectural restoration that Scott’s reputation is particularly vexed.” Notes Turner, citing the revelation in Stamp’s book that Scott’s restoration work at Tewkesbury led to the foundation of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings - the Society founded to oppose the “destruction” of ancient buildings.

Scott was certainly not without fault. Regardless, Scott’s architectural dynasty is unmatched in Great Britain - even if his restoration work is not as revered. This, Olivia argues, is why Scott is not such a dead dog after all.

You can read Olivia Horsfall Turner’s original article on Apollo Magazine.