Table of Contents
Professor Timothy Brittain-Catlin is a leading architectural historian and Professor of Architecture at the University of Cambridge, specializing in Victorian, Edwardian, and Gothic Revival domestic and church architecture
Professor Timothy Brittain-Catlin is an esteemed figure at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Architecture, holding the title of Professor of Architecture and leading the MSt Architecture Apprenticeship course.
Join our Telegram Channel for Instant Scholarship Updates
His career represents a profound dedication to both the practice and history of architecture, commencing with over a decade of hands-on experience in Britain and internationally, where he worked on both historic buildings and complex masterplanning projects. This practical foundation informs his later, distinguished academic work, providing a critical lens through which he analyzes historical architectural styles. He returned to Cambridge in 2000 to embark on foundational research into the buildings of A.W.N. Pugin and the domestic architecture of early Victorian England, marking the transition to his current highly influential role as an architectural historian.
His scholarly output is both extensive and highly regarded. His book, The English Parsonage in the Early Nineteenth Century, published in 2008, established his authority on Victorian domestic life and architecture. Since then, he has published widely on various facets of houses and churches, along with insightful critiques in major industry journals such as the Architectural Review and Architecture Today. His 2020 publication, The Edwardians and their Houses:
The New Life of Old England, represents a significant scholarly contribution, being the first radical appraisal of Edwardian domestic architecture in forty years. The book, much like his earlier work Bleak Houses: Disappointment and Failure in Architecture (2014), demonstrates his ability to combine rigorous historical analysis with a deeply original, critical perspective, often challenging conventional narratives within architectural history.
Prior to his current position, Professor Brittain-Catlin spent thirteen years at the University of Kent, where his commitment to pedagogy was formally recognized; he twice received the Faculty of Humanities teaching award for innovative and effective team teaching. This dedication to excellence in education is further evidenced at Cambridge, where he serves as the Director of Studies for Architecture and Design in Gonville & Caius College, mentoring students and guiding their academic pathways.
His standing in the field is also acknowledged externally through his membership in Historic England’s national Advisory Committee, demonstrating his influence on policy and conservation practice within the United Kingdom. His work consistently links the historical context of architecture to its contemporary relevance, ensuring that students gain both a deep historical understanding and a sharp critical awareness of the built environment.
Professor Timothy Brittain-Catlin
- Position: Professor of Architecture, Course Leader (MSt Architecture Apprenticeship), Director of Studies
- Country: UK
- University: University of Cambridge
- Faculty/School: Faculty of Architecture and History of Art
- Department: Department of Architecture
Contact Information
- Email Address: tb401@cam.ac.uk
- Personal/University Profile Page: https://www.arct.cam.ac.uk/people/dr-tim-brittain-catlin
Research Interests / Areas of Expertise
- Victorian, Edwardian, and Gothic Revival Domestic Architecture
- The work of A.W.N. Pugin
- English Houses and Churches (19th and 20th Centuries)
- Architectural Historiography and Critique (Themes of disappointment/failure)
Scholarship Supervision Availability
Scholarship Supervision Availability: Depends 🟡
Additional Scholarship-Seeker Details: Supervises students in his capacity as Professor and Director of Studies, though specific availability is not stated
Current Projects or Publications (Key Publications):
- Edwin Rickards. Liverpool University Press, 2023. (Book)
- The Edwardians and their Houses: The New Life of Old England. Lund Humphries, 2020. (Book)
- ‘The Historical Context of Weaver’s Writing’, in: Arts and Crafts Chronicler… Lund Humphries, 2024. (Book Chapter)
Number of Graduate Students Supervised: Not provided
Scholarship/Funding Opportunities Linked: Not provided
Languages Spoken: Not provided
Preferred Intake / Application Window: Not provided
Response Time / Availability Status: Not provided
