Joseph Maltby Bignell (1827–1887) was a Britisharchitect, who spent much of his career working with SirGeorge Gilbert Scott (1811–78).[1]
He was born inSloane SquareChelsea, westLondon, on 18 March 1827 to Joseph and Elizabeth Bignell, and was baptised on 22 April the same year atSt James's church, Westminster.[2]
- in the 1841census we find Joseph (14) living with his parents inChipping Norton,Oxfordshire; his father a builder.[2]
- In the 1851census we find Joseph (24) living with his parents in the parish ofS Mark, Kennington, southLondon.[2]
- In 1863 he married Ann Ruddle atPeterborough,Cambridgeshire.[2]
- in the 1881census he is living at 2 Martello Villas Herbert Road,Wimbledon.[2]
- In the 1882Westminsterelectoral register his home address is given as 17 Herbert Road, London SW,; his office at 122Surrey Street.[2]
- in the 1883Westminsterelectoral register his home address is given as 17 Herbert Road, London SW; his office at 141Strand.[2]
- he died on 1 September 1887; the officialprobate record states the following
BIGNELL Joseph Maltby. PersonaI Estate £1,385 14s. 14 October. The Will with a Codicil of Joseph Maltby Bignell formerly of 5 but late of 12 Orlando-roadClapham in theCounty oi Surrey Architect who died 1 September 1887 at 12 Orlando-road was proved at the Principal Registry by Jabez Bignell of 12 Courthope Walpole-roadWimbledon in the said County Architect the Brother and John Oldrid Scott of 31 Spring-gardens in theCounty of Middlesex Architect theExecutors.[2]
Over a period of some forty years [from 1845], restoration was carried out on an intermittent basis successively under the direction of four architects: James Cranston,William Butterfield,Sir George Gilbert Scott and Joseph Maltby Bignell [from 1878 to 1883].Scott had earlier employed his pupil, Bignell, as clerk of works at Dorchester [from 1859].[3]
1879. Proposal to rebuild northtransept: not enacted
1882.Norman window innave restored
1883. West window of the southaisle removed
1888. Repairs to tenor bell
1893-94. New wall paintings in theLady Chapel.[4]
1900. Two newstained glass windows in the south-eastchapel.Chiming train added to tower clock.[4]
"The church of ST. MICHAEL AND ALL ANGELS, Palmerston Road, the largest inWalthamstow, was built in 1885, to the design of J. M. Bignall [...] The cost was met by public subscription assisted by thebishop of St. Albans' fund. The building, of brown and red brick with stone dressings, is in theEarly English style, and has a very loftynave andchancel with lower sideaisles."[5]
