George Godwin FRS (1815 – 27 January 1888) was an influential architect, journalist, and editor of The Builder magazine.
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He was one of nine children of the architect George Godwin senior (1780–1863)[1] and trained at his father's architectural practice in Kensington where he set up in business with his brother Henry Godwin (1831–1917).
Encouraged by his friend the antiquary John Britton, he pursued an interest in architectural history and wrote several volumes on the Churches of London (1838), mason's marks and gothic style. He was also interested in new materials and wrote on the use of concrete (1836). He soon joined the Institute of British Architects, the Society of Antiquaries, and became a Fellow of the Royal Society.
The Builder was first published as a weekly magazine in 1842 by Joseph Hansom, inventor of the Hansom cab. In 1844 Godwin became its third editor and immediately expanded its scope and coverage beyond new works and architectural issues to include history, archaeology, arts, sanitation and social issues. It described itself as 'An illustrated weekly magazine for the architect, engineer, constructor, sanitary reformer, and art lover'.
This broadened its appeal beyond the construction trade, and he took a campaigning stance to improve the circumstances of the working classes. Godwin wrote on slums and republished edited collections of his articles as reforming books. In addition to self-improvement, he promoted the use of public baths, wash-houses, charitable housing trusts, and pavilion-styled hospitals.
He edited the magazine until 1883. It was renamed Building in 1966 and is still in existence.
Throughout his editorship, he worked in the family architectural practice. Works included churches, housing and public buildings, amongst them Redcliffe Square, Kensington, The Boltons, Kensington, St Mary's, The Boltons, Elm Park Gardens, Chelsea, St Luke, Kensington and the restorations of St Mary Redcliffe, Bristol and St Mary's, Ware. He was largely responsible for the design of large areas of South Kensington and Earls Court including five public houses among them the Finborough Arms, now the Finborough Theatre.
Godwin was retained as district surveyor for south Islington between 1853 and 1874.
In 1884, he reported to the Royal Commission that was producing recommendations for improving working-class housing.
He also wrote plays and co-founded the Art Union of London.
Godwin died on 27 January 1888 at Kensington and was buried in Brompton Cemetery. His memorial is Grade II listed, containing a portrait medallion, and being topped by the mourning figures of Faith and Charity. His extensive art collection was sold at Christie's, London, 12 April 1888 and numbered 98 lots.