Lewis Nockalls Cottingham English architect and restorer Date of Birth: 01.01.1787 Country: Great Britain

1. Early Life and Education
2. Architectural Career in London
3. Gothic Restoration Projects
4. St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh
5. Legacy and Family
6. Museum of Medieval Art

Early Life and Education

Luke Nightingale Cottingham was born into an affluent family in 1787. Displaying an aptitude for both science and the arts from an early age, he pursued an architectural apprenticeship in Ipswich.

Architectural Career in London

In 1814, Cottingham relocated to London, where he worked as an architect and surveyor. In 1822, he became the Architect and Surveyor to the Cooks Company. Notably, he designed Snelston Hall in Derbyshire, a Gothic-style residence for John Harrison.

Gothic Restoration Projects

Throughout his career, Cottingham specialized in medieval Gothic architecture. In 1825, he undertook the restoration of Rochester Cathedral. He also led major restoration projects at Magdalen College Chapel in Oxford in 1829 and St. Albans Abbey in 1833.

St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh

Cottingham's renowned work extended to St. Patrick's Cathedral in Armagh, Ireland, which he extensively remodeled in 1834.

Legacy and Family

Cottingham married Sophia Cotton and had four children. His eldest son, Nockalls Johnson Cottingham, followed in his father's footsteps as an architect. However, tragedy struck when Nockalls perished in the sinking of the Arctic steamship en route to New York in 1854.

Museum of Medieval Art

Cottingham played a pivotal role in establishing the London Museum of Medieval Art. He donated his extensive collection of medieval sculptures, gathered from ruined castles and buildings, to the museum.