Ashpitel, Arthur | Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada

ASHPITEL, Arthur (1807-1869), an architect of London, England, prepared a design for the ANGLICAN CHURCH, Indian Island, Labrador, c. 1850. A small engraved view of his English half-timber design can be found in the papers of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (S.P.G., mfm Reel A-197, B-4-1). Born in Hackney, England he was the son of the architect William Hurst Ashpitel (1776-1852), and commenced practise on his own account in London in 1842. His best known works there include St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Homerton High Street (1845-51), the Lambeth Baths (1853) and the Clock Tower, London Bridge. His poor health caused him to give up his work in London and he travelled to Rome where he prepared drawings and paintings later exhibited at the Royal Academy. He died in London on 18 January 1869 (obituary in The Builder [London], xxvii, 30 Jan. 1869, 81; biography in the Dictionary of National Biography [London], i, 1921, 646-47; Directory of British Architects 1834-1900, 1993, 27; inf. Shane O'Dea, St. John's)