Home Department of Architecture Professor James W P Campbell: Professor of Architecture and Construction History

Professor James W P Campbell: Professor of Architecture and Construction History

September 26, 2025

Table of Contents

Professor James W P Campbell is a Professor of Architecture and Construction History at the University of Cambridge, specializing in construction history, libraries, water infrastructure, and 17th/18th-century architecture (Wren, Soane)

Professor James W P Campbell, Professor of Construction History at the University of Cambridge

Professor James W.P. Campbell is a highly distinguished Professor of Architecture and Construction History at the University of Cambridge, where he also served as Head of the Department of Architecture from 2019 to 2023. His career is uniquely defined by a deep foundation in both architectural practice having worked in the UK, Hong Kong, and the US and rigorous academic scholarship, which began with his doctoral research on the seventeenth-century carpentry of Sir Christopher Wren. This blend of practical knowledge and historical expertise makes him a leading authority in the field of Material Culture, where he traces the development of objects in the built world and our enduring relationship to them.

Join our Telegram Channel for Instant Scholarship Updates

Professor Campbell is a prolific author whose research has yielded internationally recognized books. His seminal work, Brick: a World History (2003, revised 2016), co-produced with photographer Will Pryce, is considered the established work on the subject and has been translated into nine languages.

His continued interest in the seventeenth-century building world resulted in Building St Paul’s (2007), providing a concise and authoritative introduction to the period. Perhaps his most widely celebrated work is The Library: a World History (2013), the first book to comprehensively chart the history of library buildings from antiquity to the present day. Chosen as a “Book of the Year” by multiple reviewers, its success speaks to his ability to bring specialist historical topics to a global, educated audience.

Beyond publishing, Professor Campbell’s influence is felt throughout the academic and professional architecture community. He is the Chairman of the Construction History Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, dedicating significant time to promoting research in the field through annual conferences and edited proceedings. Within the University, he is deeply involved in curriculum development and student mentorship. He co-founded the highly successful MSt in Building History with English Heritage and, more recently, designed and created the pioneering MSt Apprenticeship in Architecture, the first purpose-designed apprenticeship of its kind at the University of Cambridge.

As the Director of Studies and Seear Fellow in Architecture and History of Art at Queens’ College, he plays a crucial role in shaping the academic paths of students. His expertise is also sought by public media, leading to appearances on numerous television and radio programs, demonstrating his commitment to sharing architectural history with the wider public.

Professor James W.P. Campbell MA DipArch PhD (Cantab) RIBA IHBC FSA

Position: Professor of Architecture and Construction History, Director of Studies (Queens’ College)
Country: UK
University: University of Cambridge
Faculty/School: Faculty of Architecture and History of Art
Department: Department of Architecture

Contact Information

Email Address: tbc1000@cam.ac.uk
Personal/University Profile Page: https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/people/jwpc2%40cam.ac.uk

Research Interests / Areas of Expertise

Construction History (especially carpentry, brickwork, and building finance)
Material Culture and the history of building components (Doors, Staircases, Windows)
Seventeenth- and Eighteenth-Century Architecture (Wren, Hawksmoor, Soane)
The History and Development of Libraries and Water Infrastructure (Fountains)

Scholarship Supervision Availability

Scholarship Supervision Availability: Yes

Additional Scholarship-Seeker Details:

Seeks: Research students interested in the history of building construction or the history of library design from all parts of the world.
Prerequisite: Applicants should normally complete an MPhil or MSt before proceeding to a PhD (unless they already hold a relevant research degree).
Application Requirement: Detailed research proposal, including a timeline, proposed sources, and viability assessment.

Current Projects or Publications (Key Publications)

BOOK: The Library: a World History (Thames & Hudson, 2013).
BOOK: Brick: A World History (Thames & Hudson, 2016, second revised edition).
Edited Book: Doors: History, Repair and Conservation (Routledge, 2020).
Current Project: Monograph on Soane’s drawings; Book: Water and Civilisation (due 2025).