| Admin/Biog History | John Summerson was an architectural historian, and architect. He worked in the office of Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, and was a founding member of both the MARS Group (Modern Architectural Research Group) and the Georgian Group. In 1945 Summerson was appointed Director and curator of Sir John Soane's Museum, a post he held until his retirement in 1984.
Summerson and Stamp corresponded regularly from 1974-1991, with Summerson acting as a mentor to Stamp, both encouraging and challenging him. Their correspondence first began in relation to Stamp's interest in Scott Junior, and discusses architectural-historical matters of interest, their work, and personal matters. |
| Description | This file includes extensive correspondence from Summerson. The letters include discussion about the people and organisations active in the field of architecture and architectural history, in particular those active during the 1930s. Discussion is of both an academic and personal nature, and includes discussion of Summerson's health and Parkinson diagnosis.
The letters also include discussion about both Stamp and Summerson's work, with regular mentions of Stamp's research into members of the Scott family, the thirties, and Lutyens, and Summerson's research into John Nash.
Of particular interest:
-letter, dated 19 Aug 1979, concerning Summerson's recollections of various individuals working in the thirties, including Robert Byron
-letter, dated 10 Mar 1980, concerning John Nash and Carlton House terrace
-letter, dated 25 Jun 1981, concerning the revival of interest into Lutyens in America
-letter, dated 17 Mar 1982, concerning Stamp's essay on the history of the Georgian Group |
| Image Caption | Letter from John Summerson, dated 19 Aug 1979, concerning various individuals working in the thirties |