Gables and Fables: the Buckler Dynasty

Architectural historian Joshua Mardell introduces the unsung Buckler dynasty of Gothic Revival architects and topographical draughtsmen.

Joshua Mardell’s talk will tell the story of the Bucklers – John Buckler (1770-1851), John Chessell Buckler (1793-1894) and Charles Alban Buckler (1824-1905) – the nineteenth century’s other Gothic Revival dynasty. They fulfilled a century’s-worth of commissions in the revived styles of English domestic and ecclesiastical architecture including: commissions for Oxford and Cambridge colleges; country houses (especially for old Catholic families); restorations and new places of worship for the Established Church; and, following Charles Alban’s conversion, for Roman Catholics. The Bucklers have hitherto not received much scholarly attention, and consequently have not occupied a significant place in the narrative of canonical architectural history – albeit that the senior Bucklers’ industry as topographical architects is much better known. This talk examines their significance as a family of impassioned architects, fleshing out details of nineteenth-century society and culture in reference to their aspirations, successes and failures.

Joshua Mardell wrote his PhD on the Buckler dynasty at ETH Zurich and is currently a Visiting Lecturer in the History of Architecture at the University of York. He sits on the Victorian Society’s Events Committee.

The Victorian Society is an IHBC recognised CPD provider​.