George Smith (architect)

George Smith (28 September 1782 – 5 January 1869) was an English architect and surveyor of the early 19th century, with strong connections with central and south-east London.

[1] He was articled to Robert Furze Brettingham, and later worked for James Wyatt, Daniel Asher Alexander, and then Charles Beazley,[2] before eventually setting up his own practice in the City of London.

[9] His Gothic church of St Michael and All Angels at Blackheath Park (1828-1829) on the Cator estate was built in white brick with stone facings, and has what the Buildings of England guide describes as "a fanciful thin east spire", sometimes called "the Needle of Kent".

[10] Ian Nairn describes it as "far more individual than the usual run", "more than a studious crib from a pattern book", and notes "the highly successful Eastern Tower".

[1] He was also surveyor to the South East Rail Company and Morden College and his other works included: Works in his native Hertfordshire include the Church of St. Peter, London Colney, a very early example of the Norman revival style (1825)[14] and the neoclassical St Albans Town Hall (1829), with a giant portico of four Ionic columns.