John Gwynn (architect)

John Gwynn RA (1713 – 28 February 1786) was an English architect and civil engineer, who became one of the founder members of the Royal Academy in 1768.

He worked initially as a carpenter, but then decided to practice as a (largely self-taught) architect and town planner, moving to London, where he became a friend of Samuel Johnson.

[7] However proposals similar to many of Gwynn's were eventually implemented;[5] in the twentieth century, John Summerson wrote that "the amazing thing about this plan is its complete grip on reality", his only impractical belief being that the growth of London could be stopped at Hyde Park in the west and at the Marylebone Road in the north.

[5] Gwynn influenced the drafting of the Building Act 1774[1][a] which improved standards of materials and workmanship – Bedford Square was one of the first areas of London to benefit.

[citation needed] Samuel Johnson lobbied on his behalf, sending three letters in his support to the Daily Gazetteer,[8] but plans by Robert Mylne were preferred.