William Donthorne

William John Donthorne (1799–1859) was a notable English architect of the early 19th century and one of the founders of what became the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).

Donthorn was born in Norfolk and was a pupil of Sir Jeffry Wyattville. He worked both in the Gothic and Classical styles, but is perhaps best known for his severe Greek Revival country houses - most of which have been demolished. A large number of his drawings are in the RIBA drawings collection, now housed at the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Works

• Cromer Hall, Cromer, Norfolk, 1829
• Elmham Hall, Norfolk (Demolished)
• Hillington Hall, Norfolk (Demolished)
• Watlington Hall, Norfolk (Demolished)
• Pickenham Hall, South Pickenham, Norfolk (Demolished) Between 1902 and 1905 architect Robert Weir Schultz (retrieved Oct 2010) extensively rebuilt and enlarged the hall, incorporating the previous house, in the Arts and Crafts style.
• improvements to Felbrigg Hall, Norfolk
• Upton Hall, near Southwell, Nottinghamshire
• Highcliffe Castle near Christchurch, Dorset (from 1830)
• workhouses in Ely (1837) and Wisbech (1838) (Cambridgeshire), Aylsham (1848-9) and Downham Market (Norfolk) and Uppingham (Rutland)
• Sessions House, Peterborough (completed 1842) (retrieved Oct 2010)
• Holy Trinity Church, Upper Dicker, East Sussex (1843) (retrieved Oct 2010)
• The Old Rectory, Dummer, near Basingstoke, Hampshire (1850) (retrieved Oct 2010)
• Home Farm, Marham Norfolk (completed 1860). Gothic house with classical stables, all grade II listed.