16 Facts About Francis Penrose

Francis Cranmer Penrose FRS was an English architect, archaeologist, astronomer and sportsman rower.

Francis Penrose served as Surveyor of the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral, and as President of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Director of the British School at Athens.

Penrose was born at Bracebridge, Lincolnshire, the third son of Rev John Penrose who was vicar there, and his wife Elizabeth Cartwright.

Francis Penrose's mother was the daughter of Edmund Cartwright and a teacher and author of children's books under the name Mrs Markham.

Francis Penrose was educated at Bedford Modern School, Bedford School, Winchester College and Magdalene College, Cambridge.

Francis Penrose rowed for Cambridge in the Boat Race in the 1840,1841 and 1842 races.

Francis Penrose studied architecture under Edward Blore from 1835 to 1838, and studied abroad under the Cambridge designation of "travelling bachelor" from 1842 to 1845.

Francis Penrose studied classical monuments in Greece, taking and recording detailed measurements.

Francis Penrose was one of the first to discover the entasis of the Parthenon and to show the deliberate curvature of the steps and entablature.

In 1848 Francis Penrose was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Francis Penrose was appointed Surveyor of the Fabric of St Paul's Cathedral in 1852 and in this role did his main work.

Francis Penrose designed the memorial to Lord Napier of Magdala and the Wellington tomb in the crypt, and arranged the relocation of the Wellington monument.

Francis Penrose was responsible for rearranging the West entrance steps and for exposing remains of the old cathedral in the churchyard.

Francis Penrose was made a Fellow of Magdalene College in 1884.

Francis Penrose designed the entrance gate of Magdalene College and the Chapel Court of St John's in Cambridge.

Francis Penrose supplied the entry on Sir Christopher Wren to the Dictionary of National Biography.