Gilbert R. Blount

[1][2][3] Blount was educated at Downside in Somerset, (from September 1834 until December 1836), and he began his professional training as a civil engineer with Isambard Kingdom Brunel, working on the construction of the Thames Tunnel (Rotherhythe to Wapping).

He then decided that civil engineering was not for him and so, in 1842, he became apprenticed to architect Anthony Salvin (1799-1881) in November 1842,[4] whose office at the time was situated at 32 Somerset Street, London.

By 1849, Blount had moved to 1 Montague Place where he worked independently for relatives and Catholic friends - including engagement as architect to Cardinal Wiseman, the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster.

Built on the site of a 1790 chapel dedicated to St Peter ad Vincula, Blount designed it in the Decorated Gothic style.

[6] He was buried in the family vault at St James’ Church in Reading.