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Capt. Francis (Frank) 
Fowke
1823 - 1865


Capt. Francis (Frank) 
Fowke
, Designer, engineer, architect. Lieutenant Royal Enginers (1851). His neighbours in the 1851 census were also military or naval people. Perhaps he was stationed there at this time. Educated Dungannon College (where he won a gold medal, aged 12, for his proficiency in mathematics). He originally wished to be a sailor. The Goodards opposed this and they also opposed his second wish which was to become a Civil Engineer. The Goddards felt this wasn't suitable for a gentleman. So, he studied and was accepted to the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich. He became captain (1854) in Royal Engineers and served in Bermuda and Paris. In 1855 he was appointed Secretary to the British Commission at the Paris Universal Exhibition. For his services there, he was created a chevalier of the Legion d'Honneur. In 1857 he was appointed architect and engineer, Art and Science Department, London. He designed the Museum of Science and Art, Edinburgh, as well as the National Gallery, Dublin, and International Exhibition buildings 1862. His design for South Kensington Museum won first prize 1864, but his death prevented its adoption. In 1865 he designed the Royal Albert Hall. Died at his official residence, South Kensington, 4 December 1865. Inventor of the army pontoon bridge and the "bellows camera". Source: A Dictionary of Irish Biography, Henry Boylan (ed.), Gill & Macmillan, Dublin, 1998. Dictionary of National Biography. Biography / Knight, C.. - London. - 1856-72 (7 vols) A dictionary of artists of the English school from the middle ages to the 19th century .. / Redgrave, S.. - New and revised ed. - London. - 1878 A compendium of Irish biography comprising sketches of distinguished Irishmen / Webb, A. J.. - Dublin. - 1878 Men of the reign; a biographical dictionary of eminent persons ... who have died during the reign of Queen Victoria / Ward, T. H.. - London. - 1885 Modern English biography / Boase, F.. - A facsimile of the Truro, 1892-1921 ed (6 vols) The National Portrait Gallery, London, has a picture: NPG D2361 Francis Fowke after Unknown artist Medium: wood engraving Date: published 1862 Archive Collection Not on display Science Museum Library * Francis Fowke, architect and engineer: corresp and papers, chiefly rel to work as Director of Works at the South Kensington Museum 1858-62 (MS 1685) Francis FOWKE, Royal Engineers. 2nd Lieutenant 18th June 1842, 1st Lieutenant 1st April 1846, Captain 17th February 1854. He died in South Kensington, London, 4th December 1865 In photograph at http://website.lineone.net/~aldosliema/baf.htm Back row standing Major R Harrison R.E. Miss Harness, Colonel J. F. M. Browne R.E. Mrs J. F. M. Browne, Captain Fowke R.E. Front row seated Miss Beatrice Truelock, Colonel Harness C.B. R.E. Miss Truelock PRO Ref. MINT 16/57 Correspondence concerning the striking of the Durand Medal, the Fowke Medal and the Institute's Gold Medal by the Royal Mint. 1871 May - 1893 Apr Re Pontoons: Captain Fowke, R.E., invented a folding open bateau, made of waterproof canvas attached to sliding ribs, so that for transport it could be collapsed like the bellows of an accordion and for use could be extended by a pair of stretchers. A twelve page issue of The Illustrated London News dated 11 August 1860 price fivepence. 'Experiments with Captain Fowke's Pontoon Bridge on the Serpentine' Captain Fowke, R.E., invented a folding open bateau, made of waterproof canvas attached to sliding ribs, so that for transport it could be collapsed like the bellows of an accordion and for use could be extended by a pair of stretchers. Full title: Report of the Commission appointed to consider the subject of lighting picture galleries by gas Short title: Lighting of picture galleries by gas Corporate author: Commission on Lighting Picture Galleries by Gas Personal author: Faraday, Professor William; Hofmann, Professor A.W.; Tyndall, Prof.John; Redgrave, Richard; Fowke, Captain Francis Abstract: 'On the lighting of picture galleries by gas and on any precautions (if necessary) against the escape of gas, and the products of its combustion' The use of coal gas light for lighting pictures is thought to be perfectly possible, as although not a white light, it should illuminate the pictures adequately. Consideration should also be given however to the obvious dangers of putting the heat next to the pictures, but also to the hidden danger of not supplying adequate ventilation. Experiments have been carried out at Sheepshanks Gallery, and these have born out these suggestions. The experiments show that temperature fluctuations of only 1 degree were felt. Colour tests have also been carried out on 16 pictures over the last 2 years, and 7 of these show chemical changes in the whites due to town atmosphere or lack of ventilation. The Commission recommends a further period of trial on these experiments, but that they should be carried out on a more extensive scal. Date presented etc: Signed July, 1859 Other features: Report Series: Sessional papers Session: 1859 Session 2 Volume number: xv Paper/Bill number: (106) Total Pages: 2 Publisher: HMSO Date published: 1859 Full-text URL: Not available Edited by: Edinburgh University Library BOPCRIS Keywords: Education - Libraries, Museums, Art Galleries Library of Congress Subject Heading(s): Museums - Great Britain Year Range: 1833-1899 URL of this record: http://www.bopcris.ac.uk/bopall/ref6324.html A Dictionary of Architecture pub. OUP "Fowke, Captain Francis (1823-65). Ulster-born military engineer. He designed the Raglan Barracks, Devonport, Plymouth (1853-5- demolished), to an advanced hygienic specification. Ingenious and inventive, his ideas were usually blocked by a conservative military and naval establishment, but his opportunity arrived when he was appointed Superintendent of Buildings for `Albertopolis', the cultural complex in South Kensington, London, from 1856 until his death. His buildings, of brick and terracotta , were in the Rundbogenstil , influenced by German ......" Designed the Royal Albert Hall with Scott, Major-General Henry Young Darracott (1822–83). English military engineer. He became Secretary to the Commissioners for the Great Exhibition on the retirement of Sir Henry Cole (1808–62), and served in the Department of Science and Art in succession to Fowke . With Wild and others he designed the Science Schools (Huxley Building), Exhibition Road, Kensington (1867–71), a red-brick and terracottafaced Rundbogenstil ......." OUP Dictionary of Architecture The Royal Albert Hall was opened 29th March 1871, in the presence of Queen Victoria. The project had been initiated by her consort Prince Albert, following the enormous success of the Great Exhibition of 1851 held in Hyde Park. Captain Francis Fowke and General Henry Scott of the Royal Engineers designed and built the unique, elliptically-shaped hall using surplus funds from the Great Exhibition and money raised by the sale of 1,300 "permanent" seats.

Born: Ballysillan, Ireland 1823 Baptised: St. Anne's, Belfast, Antrim, , Ireland 7th Jul 1823
Died: South Kensington, London, , , England 4th Dec 1865 Buried: London, , , England 9th Dec 1865
Family:
Fowke
  formerly of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

Ancestors
[ Patrilineage | Matrilineage | Earliest Ancestors | Force | Force2 | Set Relationship | Relationship | Options ]

1.
Capt. Francis (Frank) 
Fowke
(
Rede
) 1823 - 1865
2.
Capt. John 
Fowke
(
Ferguson
,
Heany
,
Borthwick
) 1794 - 1851
4.
Francis 
Fowke
(
Lowe
,
Lowe
) 1753 - 1819
5.
Mary 
Lowe
(
Fowke
,
Fowke
) 1769 - 1847
3.
Jane 
Ferguson
(
Fowke
) 1794 - 1827
6.
John Stephenson/Stevenson 
Ferguson
(
Beggs
) 1763 - 1833
7.
Ellen/Elinor 
Beggs
(
Ferguson
) 1768 - 1837

Siblings


1.
Maj. John (Jack) Stevenson Ferguson 
Fowke
(
Story
) 1825 - 1917
2.
Richard 
Fowke
* c. 1826
3.
Henry Heany 
Fowke
(
Bruce
) 1838 - 1878
4.
Jane 
Fowke
1840 - 1866
5.
Esther Julia Mary 
Fowke
1842 - 1866
6.
William 
Fowke
(
Thornton
) 1847 - 1890
7.
John 
Fowke
(
Robson
) 1851 - 1939

Spouses



1. St. Marylebone, London, , , England 22nd May 1845
Louisa Charlotte 
Rede
(
Fowke
) 1822 - 1874

Descendants
[ Options ]

a.
Louisa Charlotte 
Rede
(
Fowke
) 1822 - 1874
1.
Rede Rede 
Fowke
1845 - 1846
2.
Frank Rede 
Fowke
(
Cole
) 1847 - 1927
2a.
Isabella Langdale 
Cole
(
Fowke
) 1850 - 1927
2.1.
Francis Roger (Roger) Rede 
Fowke
1871 - 1904
2.2.
Isabella Louisa Marion Dorothy Rede 
Fowke
1874 - 1874
2.3.
Joyce Audrey Rede 
Fowke
(
Naleoj
) 1877 - 1930 ...
2.4.
Lettice Joan Rede 
Fowke
(
Douay
) 1880 - 1971 ...
2.5.
Olive Summerley Rede 
Fowke
(
Mangeot
,
Mangeot
) 1885 - 1969 ...
3.
Louisa (Mena) Matilda Rede 
Fowke
(
Bovill
) 1848 - 1924
3a.
Benjamin 
Bovill
(
Fowke
) 1843 - 1916
3.1.
Mary Louisa 
Bovill
1880 - 1887
3.2.
Benjamin Francis 
Bovill
(
Worsley
) 1882 - 1952
4.
Mildred Rede 
Fowke
1855 - 1857
5.
Mabel Rede 
Fowke
1860 - 1897
Sources

Census

Timeline


1823Born (birth) Ballysillan, Ireland
7th Jul 1823Baptised (baptism) Belfast, Antrim, Ireland
22nd May 1845Married
Louisa Charlotte 
Rede
(
Fowke
) 1822 - 1874 (marriage) London, England
31st Mar 1851Head of household in 1851 census (census) Devenport, Devon, England
1861Head of household in 1861 census (census) London, England
15th Oct 1864Made a will (will)
4th Dec 1865Died (death) London, England
9th Dec 1865Buried (burial) London, England
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