Jeffry Wyatt, later changed to Wyatville, was born in 1766 into a family of established architects.
His mother died shortly after his birth, and, following his father's death in 1785, Wyatville pursued his architectural training under the guidance of his two celebrated uncles, first with Samuel Wyatt and moving in 1792 to the London office of his Uncle James Wyatt.
Between 1786 and 1822, Wyatville regularly submitted work to the Royal Academy of Arts. In 1822, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy, before becoming a Royal Academician two years later.
Wyatville became recognised as a talented improver of existing properties; only around a fifth of his completed commissions were for new buildings. At this time, with the Industrial Revolution, there was a great demand for home improvements that would bring greater comfort and convenience.
In 1824, after winning a competition between four architects, Wyatville was commissioned to remodel Windsor Castle. In the same year, King George IV granted him permission to change his name from Wyatt to Wyatville. He was eventually knighted in recognition of his dedication and contributions to architecture, most notably his remodelling of Windsor Castle.
He was described in letters by the 6th Duke of Devonshire as “a delightful man, good, simple, like a child, indefatigable, eager, patient, easy to deal with, ready to adopt a wish if practical, firm to resist a faulty project.”
The 6th Duke was easily susceptible to an expert, especially in matters of architecture, and soon after their meeting in 1818, the two had become close friends. Shortly after, it was decided they should travel to Italy together in search of inspiration and antique materials from the hub of classical art and architecture.
“At Rome, the love of marble possesses one like a new sense,” wrote the 6th Duke in 1819. Impressed by the new apartments being built at the Vatican, he decided that something similar would be fitting at Chatsworth.
Wyatville, with his sketchbook filling by the day, readily agreed, and by the end of their Italian journey a very grand extension to the house had been planned.
That extension was the North Wing, a project which realised the Duke's ambitions for a great Library, Dining Room, and grand Sculpture Gallery. This wing also housed an orangery (now a gift shop), ballroom (later turned into a theatre), and an elevated viewing platform known as the 'Belvedere' (which means beautiful view in Italian).
Learn more about the creation of the North Wing in this blog series.
The greater part of Wyatville’s life as an architect consisted of remodelling, extending, and improving existing properties, including great houses such as Longleat, the only house in England for which the 6th Duke wrote that he was jealous.
In 1834, Wyatville was elected an honorary fellow of the Institute of Architects, becoming one of its earliest members.
Following his death on 18 February 1840, he was laid to rest in St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle.
The 6th Duke was delighted with Wyatville, applauding ‘his absence of the vanity of self-illusion in his undertakings'.
The years spent working with Wyatville, were amongst the happiest of the duke’s life. Their relationship was one of great mutual respect, with Wyatville as a most beloved architect and someone whom the duke retained the deepest fondness.
The 6th Duke was both fond and respectful of Wyatville, taking delight in ‘his absence of the vanity of self-illusion in his undertakings'. He later described the years spent working with Wyatville as amongst the happiest of his life.
At his death, Wyatville had been commissioned by four different sovereigns, over 40 different noble families, and many other distinguished individuals.
Main image: Sir Jeffry Wyatville by Sir Francis Leggatt Chantrey, pencil, circa 1835 NPG 316a(148) © National Portrait Gallery, London
