Professor Andrew Saint. Photo: Chris Redgrave
The Victorian Society has launched a memorial fund in honour of Professor Andrew Saint (1946–2025), one of Britain’s foremost architectural historians and a longstanding champion of the Society and its publishing programme. Created with the support of Andrew’s family, the Andrew Saint Memorial Fund will help sustain and develop the Society’s publishing programme, supporting new research into Victorian and Edwardian architecture.
Andrew joined the Victorian Society in 1968 and, over nearly six decades, became one of the most important figures in its history. A distinguished historian of Victorian and Edwardian architecture, his scholarship encompassed a remarkable range of subjects. His pioneering study of Richard Norman Shaw became a major work on the architect, while his many other books, articles and reviews reflected the breadth of his knowledge and interests. He was Professor of Architectural History at the University of Cambridge from 1995 to 2006, before returning to the Survey of London as General Editor, a position he held until 2019.
Publishing was central to Andrew’s contribution to the Victorian Society. As Chair of its Publications Committee, a longstanding contributor to its magazine, The Victorian, and a driving force behind the revival of its academic journal and monograph series, he devoted enormous time and care to bringing individual publications to fruition. His encouragement of authors and editors, profound knowledge of architectural history and determination to see ambitious publishing projects through to completion helped shape the Society’s publications over many years.
Dr Kathryn Ferry, Chair of the Victorian Society’s Publications Committee, said:
“Understanding the buildings we fight for is crucial to our campaigning. Andrew understood that, and his commitment to publishing new scholarship made a profound contribution to the study, understanding and appreciation of Victorian architecture and, in doing so, to the Society’s work.”
The Fund will help meet the costs of producing the Society’s books, journals and magazines, while providing greater scope to support the research, writing, editing, illustration and production on which these publications depend.
The cover of E W Godwin written by Dr Aileen Reid, the seventh book in the Victorian Architects Series. Shows an elevation drawing by E.W. Godwin of the first design for a studio-house for Frank Miles, 1878 (detail). Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The Society’s publishing programme has long benefited from the generosity of authors and editors who contribute their time and expertise freely. The Andrew Saint Memorial Fund will provide additional resources to support, celebrate and disseminate new research, helping the Society continue to publish works of lasting scholarly and educational value.
Front cover of G.E. Street by Geoff Brandwood
Front cover of Matthew Digby Wyatt by Robert Thorne shows the Durbar Court at the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, Whitehall London. Photo: Laura O’Callaghan.
Edwin Rickards by Professor Timothy Brittain-Catlin. Photo: Robin Forster.
