Francis Greenway - Life and Career

Life and Career

Greenway was born at Mangotsfield, Gloucestershire (near the English city of Bristol), the son of Francis Greenway and Ann, née Webb. Greenway became an architect "of some eminence" in Bristol and Bath. His only remaining building in the United Kingdom is the Clifton Club in Bristol, originally the Clifton Hotel and Assembly Rooms. He also designed Christ Church Downend near Mangotsfield (see Gomme an Architectural history of Bristol and church website). In 1809 he became bankrupt, and in 1812 he pleaded guilty "under the advice of his friends", to forging a financial document and was sentenced to death; this sentence was later commuted to 14 years transportation. Why he pleaded guilty is unknown; he may have been told it was the only way to save his life. He had been friendly with Admiral Arthur Phillip, who was living in retirement at Bath, and Phillip wrote to Lachlan Macquarie, recommending Greenway to him.

Greenway arrived in Sydney, New South Wales on the transport General Hewitt in February 1814 to serve his sentence. He commenced work as a colonial architect by designing a geometric stair for Ultimo House. Greenway first met Macquarie in July 1814 and it was during this meeting that Macquarie suggested he construct a town hall and courthouse, giving Greenway an instruction book to follow. Greenway was so offended by this that he responded with a letter declaring his skills and quoting Sir William Chambers that his Excellency should utilise the opportunity for a classical design.

...immediately copy the drawing Your Excellency requested me to do, notwithstanding it is rather painful to my mind as a professional man to copy a building that has no claim to classical proportion and character. —Francis Greenway

Between 1816 and 1818, while still a convict, Greenway was responsible for the design and construction of the Macquarie Lighthouse on the South Head at the entrance to Port Jackson. After the success of this project he was emancipated by the Governor of New South Wales, Lachlan Macquarie, and in the role of Acting Civil Architect and Assistant Engineer responsible to Captain J. M. Gill, Inspector of Public Works, went on to build many significant buildings in the new colony.

Greenway's works include Hyde Park Barracks, the Government House and what is considered to be his masterpiece; St James' Church, Sydney (chosen as one of Australia's only two man-made 'treasures' by Dan Cruickshank in the BBC series Around the World in 80 Treasures). There are still 49 buildings in central Sydney attributed to Greenway's designs.

Greenway fell into disrepute when Macquarie accused him of charging high fees whilst on a government retainer, and he was dismissed by the next governor, Thomas Brisbane, in 1822. He continued to follow his profession with little success. Although he got his grant of land, he does not appear to have received the promised cattle.

In 1835, he advertised that "Francis Howard Greenway, arising from circumstances of a singular nature is induced again to solicit the patronage of his friends and the public". In other words, he was destitute.

Greenway died of typhoid near Newcastle in 1837, aged 59. The exact date of his death is not known. He was buried in the Glebe Cemetery at East Maitland on 25 September 1837, but his grave is unmarked.