Charles Henry Driver

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Charles Henry Driver (1832-1900) was one of the most significant and important architects of the Victorian era. His major contribution to the design and architecture of latter part of the 19th century was his pioneering work in the use of ornamental iron work for which he was seen as a leading authority. He was also an expert in its casting and manufacture. He consulted in this area for Joseph Paxton on The Crystal Palace project as part of the Great Exhibition of 1851 in Hyde Park, London, UK. On this project he designed the Orangery and the Aquarium. He also pioneered the use of ornamental tile work in industrial interiors.

His greatest still extant pieces of design work are the iconic Westminster Embankment by the Houses of Parliament, London, of 1864-66 and the "Station of Light" in São Paulo, Brazil, 1897-1900.

Working with the engineer Joseph Bazalgette who was responsible for the massive construction of the London sewerage system, he not only completed the Westminster Embankment but the architectural design of the great pumping houses at Abbey Mills and Crossness which are existing decorative temples to Victorian engineering steam power.

Other work includes numerous railways stations in the south of England, including the London Bridge terminus. Sea piers at Llandudno, Nice, Southend-on-Sea. There are also many other railways projects in England and South America, plus individual buildings of importance. As a most competent painter he produced oils and water colour pictures some of which survive. It is known that he left an estate of about one million pounds upon his death, a testimony to his productivity and considerable success.