The Gothic Library at Stowe: A Reappraisal

23 April, 5:30pm-7:30pm | Ticket price: Free

George Clarke Prize winner, Dr Ralph St Clair Wade reconsiders the origins and significance of the Gothic Library at Stowe, one of the earliest interiors of the Gothic Revival. This talk is one of a lecture series held monthly.

Join us as last year’s winner of the George Clarke Prize, Dr Ralph St Clair Wade, presents his latest research on the Gothic Library at Stowe. The George Clarke Prize is a biennial award granted by the Hall Bequest Trust for original research into the history, architecture and landscape of Stowe House. The prize encourages new scholarship based on the estate’s extensive archive of more than 350,000 papers based at the Huntington Library (California), with winners presenting their findings through lectures and publications.

The Gothic Library at Stowe House, Buckinghamshire is a rare survival. Commissioned by the 1st Marquess of Buckingham, the Library is significant as the only Gothic interior designed by the distinguished classicist Sir John Soane (1753–1837). In itself, it is one of the earliest interiors of the Gothic Revival.

But why the departure from Stowe’s famous classicism? This talk takes a fresh look at the room’s accepted origin story and considers the role of Mary, Marchioness of Buckingham (1758–1812), and her Catholic chaplain, Charles O’Connor.

Key Information

The event will proceed with a 60-minute talk followed by audience questions
Booking essential
Your free ticket includes a welcome drink on arrival at 5.30pm with thanks to the Hall Bequest Trust
The talk will start at 6.00pm

Lecture Series – Save The Dates

Join us throughout the year for an inspiring line‑up of guest speakers, with talks and discussion panels taking place on Thursday evenings. Tickets will be on sale soon, so do save the dates below.

23 April – Dr Ralph St Clair Wade (University of Cambridge and 2025 George Clarke Prize winner) shares his latest research on the Gothic Library
14 May – Richard Wheeler (Specialist in practical Gardens History) explores the connections between Vanbrugh and Gibbs’ work at Stowe
11 June – Ophelia Field and Rory Fraser “The most honest-hearted, real good men”: Sir John Vanbrugh and the Kit-Cat Club
17 September – Francis Terry (Architect) highlights Vanbrugh’s proposed alterations and extensions to Stowe House
15 October – Michael Bevington examines Sir John Vanbrugh’s work at Stowe and the landscape vision he helped to create.

Meet Your Speaker

Dr Ralph St Clair Wade

Dr Ralph St Clair Wade lectures in the History of Art at Cambridge University. A social historian by training, he views art as evidence for historical life – both individual and communal. Ralph holds PhD and MPhil degrees from St John’s College, Cambridge where he graduated first in his year. His work has been funded by Cambridge and Yale Universities and is published in Architectural History and The Buildings of Scotland (‘Pevsner’). His recent projects include lectures at the National Gallery, the Wallace Collection, the Fitzwilliam Museum, and at the Royal Institute of British Architects. His monograph on Scotland’s leading Victorian architect, David Bryce (1803–76), appears this autumn as part of the Architectural History of the British Isles series.