Colen Campbell Blue Plaque

Westminster Erected 1977

Inscription

Colen Campbell 1676-1729 architect and author of Vitruvius Britannicus lived and died here

About This Blue Plaque

Colen Campbell was a pioneering Scottish architect and key figure in popularizing the Palladian style in 18th-century Britain. Born in 1676, he spent much of his early career in Italy studying classical architecture before returning to London, where he lived and worked at 76 Brook Street in Westminster until his death in 1729.

Campbell’s most enduring legacy is his seminal book “Vitruvius Britannicus,” published in three volumes between 1715-1725. This influential work showcased architectural drawings of British buildings in the Palladian style, which emphasized classical symmetry, proportion and ornament inspired by the designs of 16th-century Italian architect Andrea Palladio. “Vitruvius Britannicus” played a major role in spreading this style’s popularity among British patrons and architects.

As an architect, Campbell received several prominent commissions including Wanstead House in Essex, Mereworth Castle in Kent, and Houghton Hall in Norfolk. He served as a architectural consultant to several aristocratic clients and was a key influencer of the first generation of Palladian Revival country houses across Britain. In London, he designed the Rolls House in Chancery Lane and made alterations to Burlington House.

Campbell’s former home at 76 Brook Street lies in the heart of Mayfair, one of Westminster’s most fashionable districts. Originally developed in the 1600s, Mayfair evolved into an enclave for the wealthy, filled with palatial townhouses, luxury shops, and gentlemen’s clubs. Many other notable artists and architects besides Campbell have called Mayfair home over the centuries, drawn to its prestige and patronage.

While Campbell’s buildings were later overshadowed by other British Palladians like Lord Burlington and William Kent, his role in shaping 18th-century British architecture was hugely significant. His work paved the way for Palladianism to flourish as the favored style of the British elite, with “Vitruvius Britannicus” remaining an essential reference for generations of architects. This blue plaque, erected in 1977, pays tribute to Campbell’s enduring impact.