Hidden Patrons: Women and Architectural Patronage in Georgian Britain

by Amy Boyington

An enduring myth of Georgian architecture is that it was purely the pursuit of male architects and their wealthy male patrons. History states that it was men who owned grand estates and houses, who commissioned famous architects, and who embarked upon elaborate architectural schemes.

Hidden Patrons dismantles this myth - revealing instead that women were at the heart of the architectural patronage of the day, exerting far more influence and agency than has previously been recognised. Architectural drawing and design, discourse, and patronage were interests shared by many women in the eighteenth century. Far from being the preserve of elite men, architecture was a passion shared by both sexes, intellectually and practically, as long as they possessed sufficient wealth and autonomy.

In an accessible, readable account, Hidden Patrons uncovers the role of women as important patrons and designers of architecture and interiors in eighteenth-century Britain and Ireland. Exploring country houses, Georgian townhouses, villas, estates, and gardens, it analyses female patronage from across the architectural spectrum, and examines the work of a range of pioneering women from grand duchesses to businesswomen to lowly courtesans. Re-examining well-known Georgian masterpieces alongside lesser-known architectural gems, Hidden Patrons unearths unseen archival material to provide a fascinating new view of the role of women in the architecture of the Georgian era.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

328 pages, Paperback

Published November 30, 2023

About the author

Dr Amy Boyington is a British historian, author and broadcaster.

Her past roles have included Senior Properties Historian at English Heritage, Trust Director at The Lutyens Trust, and Post-Doctoral Researcher at both Kensington Palace and Queens' College, Cambridge.

Reviews

[Kat Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Women are, and have always been, badass.

[Cindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein wunderbares Buch über - vornehmlich adlige - Frauen und ihre Bauwerke. Das Buch zeigt auch wunderbar auf, wie schwer es selbst für Frauen aus der Oberschicht war finanzielle und persönliche Freiheit zu erlangen und Grundstücke oder Gebäude zu besitzen und zu gestalten. Da kommt einer 'Bridgerton' gar nicht mehr so stark überzeichnet vor. ich wünsche mir auch zu jeder einzelnen im Buch vorgestellten Frau eine eigene Monographie. Sie alle wurden viel zu lange übersehen.

[Amalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great detailed book about women patrons in the 1700 hundreds - it delves into very specific examples that makes you understand every architectural design that was popular at the time (and where women lead the way). The pictures makes it better visually so that was great! Overall it is a fantastic book for people interested in architecture in the georgian period, although if you are not 100% in to architecture it can become a little vague and confusing.

[Tom Artikal · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such an amazing book! Amy is really bringing something new to the field of history and has done it in such an approachable way. The images throughout are beautiful and make this an absolute MUST READ for history enthusiasts. It's a very polished, exceptional debut book.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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