Thomas Baldwin

Thomas Baldwin (c.1750 – 7 March 1820) was an English architect in the city of Bath, who was responsible for designing some of Bath's principal Georgian buildings.

In 1775, he was appointed as the official Bath City Architect. In this role he designed Guildhall, Argyle Street, Laura Place, Great Pulteney Street and many others. In 1793, he was dismissed for financial irregularities, and as a result he was forced into bankruptcy and his reputation was ruined. Jane Root, biographer of Baldwin, writes; "he had a history not merely of imprudence, but of deliberate dishonesty".

Career

Baldwin was born in 1749 or 1750. His place of birth is not recorded, however, he was not native to Bath. He was first recorded in the city of Bath in 1774. He was initially a clerk (later builder and assistant) to plumber, glazier, and politician Thomas Warr Attwood. By 1775, he was appointed as the Bath City Architect after Attwood's death. During the construction of the Guildhall he was officially appointed the position of Bath City Surveyor. He was surveyor to the Pulteney Estate and planned the development of Bathwick as well as being responsible for much of the building. Around the same time he was appointed to the Office of Architect and Surveyor for the Improvement Commissioners, formed by the Bath Improvement Act 1789 (29 Geo. 3. c. 73), on 9 April 1790 (at a salary of £200 per annum), which he held until 1793.

Baldwin married Elizabeth Chapman in St James' Church, Bath on 15 September 1779, which was designed by John Palmer of Bath between 1768 and 1769. Palmer was the man who would later investigate Baldwin and replace him. The Chapmans were a local political family, and a month after his marriage he was appointed Deputy Chamberlain to the Corporation of Bath. He was again appointed to this post on 7 January 1782, and again on 6 October 1783. His salary for this post, as recorded in October 1790 was 210 pounds per annum.