Robert Willis

Robert Willis (1800–1875) was a scientist, inventor and architectural historian of international repute. As Jacksonian Professor of Natural and Experimental Philosophy at Cambridge, he demonstrated specially made mechanical devices to huge audiences. First published in 1841, Principles of Mechanism provided the theory behind the demonstrations. He defined mechanism as the means by which any relations of motion could be realised. The book was extremely influential, with all books in English, French, and German on the subject for the next generation adopting Willis' classification and nomenclature. He worked closely with William Whewell, whose Mechanics of Engineering was published in the same year. These two books established the science of mechanism, and provided study materials for the rapidly growing engineering profession. The work became a standard textbook for engineering and mathematics students, with a second edition issued in 1870.

Robert Willis' monumental architectural history of the University of Cambridge, first published in 1886 in a revised and extended edition by his nephew J. W. Clark, was hailed as 'one of the most important contributions to the social and intellectual history of England which has ever been made by a Cambridge man.' Although Willis and Clark has always been recognised by architectural historians as one of the greatest studies of the buildings of a single historic city, its wider importance and status are also being recognised by those interested generally in the conservation of buildings and in the historic development of architectural style and taste. Its unique collection of over three hundred plans, antique and specially commissioned engravings is alone sufficient to make this an indispensable work of reference on Cambridge architecture before the onset of the modern age. The first three volumes were reprinted with an introduction by Professor David Watkin in 1988, but that hardback edition lacked the fourth volume of maps. The new paperback reprint brings all four volumes of this classic text together again for the first time since the 19th century.

Hailed as 'one of the most important contributions to the social and intellectual history of England which has ever been made by a Cambridge man', Robert Willis's monumental architectural history of the University of Cambridge is here reprinted. Its unique collection of over three hundred plans, antique and specially commissioned engravings is alone sufficient to make this an indispensable work of reference on Cambridge architecture before the onset of the modern age. This selection from the Architectural History presents in a single volume the complete text relating to King's College and Eton College and features a new introduction by David Watkin, Professor Emeritus in the History of Architecture at the Department of Art History at Cambridge University.

Hailed as 'one of the most important contributions to the social and intellectual history of England which has ever been made by a Cambridge man', Robert Willis' monumental architectural history of the University of Cambridge is here reprinted. Its unique collection of over three hundred plans, antique and specially commissioned engravings is alone sufficient to make this an indispensable work of reference on Cambridge architecture before the onset of the modern age. This selection from the Architectural History presents in a single volume the complete text relating to Trinity College and features a new introduction by David Watkin, Professor Emeritus in the History of Architecture at the Department of Art History at Cambridge University.

Hailed as 'one of the most important contributions to the social and intellectual history of England which has ever been made by a Cambridge man', Robert Willis' monumental architectural history of the University of Cambridge is here reprinted. Its unique collection of over three hundred plans, antique and specially commissioned engravings is alone sufficient to make this an indispensable work of reference on Cambridge architecture before the onset of the modern age. This selection from the Architectural History presents in a single volume the complete text relating to St John's College and features a new introduction by David Watkin, Professor Emeritus in the History of Architecture at the Department of Art History at Cambridge University.

Hailed as 'one of the most important contributions to the social and intellectual history of England which has ever been made by a Cambridge man', Robert Willis monumental architectural history of the University of Cambridge is here reprinted. Its unique collection of over three hundred plans, antique and specially commissioned engravings is alone sufficient to make this an indispensable work of reference on Cambridge architecture before the onset of the modern age. This selection from the Architectural History presents in a single volume the complete text relating to Peterhouse and features a new introduction by David Watkin, Professor Emeritus in the History of Architecture at the Department of Art History at Cambridge University.

Robert Willis' monumental architectural history of the University of Cambridge, first published in 1886 in a revised and extended edition by his nephew J. W. Clark, was hailed as 'one of the most important contributions to the social and intellectual history of England which has ever been made by a Cambridge man.' These fully illustrated volumes are here reprinted in their entirety, with a modern introduction by Professor David Watkin. Although Willis and Clark has always been recognised by those interested generally in the conservation of buildings and in the historic development of architectural style and taste, its unique collection of over three hundred plans, antique and specially commissioned engravings is alone sufficient to make this an indispensable work of reference on Cambridge architecture before the onset of the modern age.