George Devey (1820-1886)

George Devey was a British architect, born in London, Educated in London, after leaving school he initially studied art, with an ambition to become a professional artist. He later trained as an architect.

During his professional career Devey had a London office in Great Marlborough Street, where he specialised in domestic architecture, lodges, cottages and country mansions. He had worked extensively for the Duke of Sutherland at Cliveden in Buckinghamshire where he designed lodges and cottages in the vernacular style of the Sussex Weald. He often used tiles and timbers on external walls, in a way evocative or earlier periods, but always in a slightly differing way to the original. This style he adapted and personalised until it had his own distinctive stamp. Devey’s style was later developed by other architects such as Richard Norman Shaw and C.F.A. Voysey, who both studied under him. Both Shaw and Voysey were to be founder members of the Arts and Crafts movement a generation later.