Martin & Chamberlain

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Typical Martin & Chamberlain exposed iron supports for the steep roofs of Birmingham School of Art, England, (1893-5).

John Henry Chamberlain (J.H. Chamberlain), William Martin, and Frederick Martin were architects in Victorian Birmingham, England. Their names are attributed singly or pairs to many red brick and terracotta buildings, particularly 41 of the the forty-odd Birmingham board schools made necessary by legislation.

John Henry Chamberlain, (1831-1883) settled in Birmingham in 1856 and went into partnership with William Martin in 1864. The Birmingham School of Art, Edmund Street was one of his last commissions. It was finished by William Martin after Chamberlain's death.

William Martin, (1829-1900) was the Birmingham public works architect when J.H. Chamberlain joined him. He continued to work under the name of Martin & Chamberlain after Chamberlain's death. He later went into partnership with his son, Frederick Martin.

Frederick Martin, son of William Martin, designed the Grade I listed former Bell Edison Telephone Building: 17 & 19 Newhall Street.

Martin & Chamberlain were responsible for the Birmingham board schools, being made architects to the new Schools Board in 1871 and building 30 schools between 1871 and 1883, using Chamberlain's gothic design and bold visible ironwork. They were the surveyors for the new Corporation Street from 1878. They designed police stations, public baths and waterworks. In 1871 Martin & Chamberlain were responsible for St Barnabas church in the Franche area of Kidderminster.^[1]