Henry Bell
(1647-1711)
Died aged c. 64
Wikidata WikipediaHenry Bell (1647–1711) was an English architect, a contemporary of Christopher Wren. Bell was born in King’s Lynn, Norfolk and baptised in St Margaret's Church. He was the son of a wealthy merchant family and his father was twice mayor. He was admitted to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 1661. He designed many buildings in West Norfolk including the Custom House in King's Lynn and All Saints Church in North Runcton. He served twice as Mayor of King's Lynn, he was well educated and travelled through Europe. In 1676 he met Robert Hooke, who shared with him his experiences of rebuilding London following the Great Fire. This knowledge had a bearing on his future work, as the design of North Runcton Church shows similarities with those employed by Wren, for example St Mary-at-Hill. He was responsible for the rebuilding of All Saints' Church and possibly the Sessions House, Northampton after a fire. He died in 1711.
DbPedia
Commemorated on 3 plaques
1 King Street Sir John Turner (1632-1712) merchant lived here. Mayor 1678 & 1692, M.P. for Lynn, patron of Henry Bell, architect. The Custom House and Duke's Head Hotel were built for him.
1 King Street, King's Lynn, United Kingdom where they was
(opposite this plaque is the) Custom House Built as a Merchant's Exchange in 1683 by Henry Bell for Sir John Turner. Altered in 1718 and 1744. From 1693 to 1989 this was the Port Office for HM Customs, and it is "one of the finest late 17C public buildings in provincial England" (N Pevsner)
Purfleet Quay, King's Lynn, United Kingdom where they built
Clifton House A fine example of a merchant's house. Much of the structure dates from the 16th and 17th centuries including a remarkable five storey Elizabethan tower, the only remaining example in King's Lynn. There is however a late 14th century brick vaulted undercroft and two rooms with early 14th century tiled floors. Probably in 1708 the front part was remodelled, reputedly by the celebrated Lynn architect Henry Bell. The impressive staircase and panelled rooms are characteristic of the period. There is a 17th century warehouse on the north side of the rear courtyard.
Clifton House, 17 Queen Street, King's Lynn, United Kingdom where they was