Thomas Roger Smith

He is now best known for his views and writings on public buildings, in terms of their style and acoustics, and their influence on other architects, particularly in relation to British imperial architecture.

After private education he entered the office of Philip Hardwick; and spent a year and a half in travel before beginning independent practice as an architect in 1855.

At the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) he was elected an associate in 1856, in 1863 a fellow, and was for several sessions a member of its council.

He was an examiner in architecture to the Science and Art Department, South Kensington Museum, as well as to the City and Guilds Institute.

Buildings were erected in India from his designs, including the post office and British Hospital at Bombay, and the residency at Ganeshkhind.

[3] The topical context in which he spoke in 1873 was that (what became known as) Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture had strong proponents, in particular Lord Napier in Madras.

At that date, Robson as School Board architect was making a reasonable case based on the existing supply of teachers.

[12] Laboratories at University College London (opened 1892) formed part of an uncompleted scheme for the Gower Street front of the large quadrangle.

He was survived by his widow, one daughter, and three sons, of whom Ravenscroft Elsey Smith became in 1899 professor of architecture at King's College, London.