BLAIKLOCK, Henry Musgrave (1790-1843), older brother of George Blaiklock, was born in London, Engl. on 26 April 1790 and was said to have commenced the practice architecture there in 1812, in partnership with his younger brother. He arrived in Canada in 1825 or 1826 but does not appear to have been active in the field of architecture and instead he joined the Royal Engineers as a draughtsman. In 1828 he was appointed assistant Clerk of Works at Quebec and supervised the construction of The Citadel there (1820-31). After the death of his brother his name became linked with several works including the Marine Hospital, the initial designs for which had been prepared by George B. just before his death in December 1828. This important project was among the first monumental public buildings to introduce a mature Regency style to Canada, and was built under the supervision of Henry M. in 1831-34. The name of Henry M. Blaiklock has mistakenly been linked to the design of another similar landmark in Montreal, that of the Men's Prison, but the six competitors recorded as having submitted entries include one by his brother George, not by Henry M. Blaiklock (Montreal Herald, 25 Feb. 1826, 2).
From 1830 until his death Henry held the office of Clerk of Works for the Royal Engineers and continued to accept private commissions including that of a refined neoclassical composition for the rectory at the Anglican Cathedral (1841). Blaiklock died in Quebec on 9 October 1843 (death notice Quebec Mercury, 10 Oct. 1843, 3; biog. Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vii, 1988, 80-1; A.J.H. Richardson, Quebec City: Architects, Artisans & Builders, 1984, 109-110).
(works in Quebec City)
CUSTOM HOUSE, Champlain Street, 1831-39 (Gazette [Montreal], 19 Feb. 1831, 2, t.c.; L. Noppen et al, Quebec, trois siecles d'architecture, 1979, 306, illus.; L. Maitland, Neoclassical Architecture in Canada, 1984, 47, illus.)
MARINE HOSPITAL, Crown Street, facing the St. Charles River, 1831-34; burned 1862 (Quebec Mercury, 29 May 1832, 1; Gazette [Montreal], 14 July 1831, 2, t.c.; Canada, Sessional Papers, 1867, Report No. 8, 266, descrip.; L. Noppen et al, Quebec, trois siecles d'architecture, 1979, 367-8, illus. & descrip.; L. Maitland, Neoclassical Architecture in Canada, 1984, 61, illus.)
(attributed) STE. URSULE STREET, residence for Robert Paterson, 1831 (L. Noppen et al, Quebec, trois siecles d'architecture, 1979, 221, illus.; Richardson, 109)
SAULT-AU-MATELOT STREET, reconstruction of a house for Dr. James Douglas, 1836 (Richardson, 109)
TRINITY ANGLICAN CHURCH, rectory for the cathedral, Dejardins Street, 1841 (L. Noppen & M. Grignon, l'art de l'architect - Three Centuries of Architectural Drawing in Quebec City, 1983, 218-19, illus. & descrip; dwgs. ANQ)
NATIONAL SCHOOL, d'Auteuil Street, additonal storey and extension, 1842 (Richardson, 110)