Francis Fowke

Fowke, Francis, Captain, R.E., was born at Belfast in 1823. After studying in the Military College, Woolwich, he in 1842 obtained a commission in the Engineers, and was ordered to Bermuda. He soon distinguished himself, and on his return home, superintended the erection of several government buildings, the Industrial Museum, Edinburgh, the National Gallery, Dublin, the London Exhibition buildings of 1862, and others. He had just commenced the South Kensington Museum, when he died from the bursting of a blood-vessel, 3rd December 1865, aged about 42. The plan of the Albert Hall, London, was based upon his suggested designs. Besides his architectural labours, he made important improvements in fire-engines, travelling scaffolds, and collapsing pontoons.

Sources

40. Biographical Division of English Cyclopaedia, with Supplement: Charles Knight, 7 vols. London, 1856-'72.