Edward Horton Hubbard (2 July 1937 – 31 May 1989) was an English architectural historian who worked withNikolaus Pevsner in compiling volumes of theBuildings of England. He also wrote the definitive biography ofJohn Douglas,[1] and played a part in the preservation ofAlbert Dock inLiverpool.
Edward Hubbard was born inBirkenhead in 1937 and studied architecture atLiverpool University where he discovered that his vocation was for the history of architecture rather than for its practice. When theVictorian Society was founded in 1958, Hubbard became an early member and in 1965 he established its first regional group in Liverpool, acting as its honorary secretary for 13 years. When the group was launched the first speaker was Nikolaus Pevsner, and Hubbard was to work with him for the next 20 years in helping to compile the series of theBuildings of England, and later theBuildings of Wales. He did the preparatory work for theSouth Lancashire volume, was joint author of theCheshire volume, and helped to prepare theStaffordshire volume. He wrote theClwyd volume for theBuildings of Wales which was published in 1986.[1] When they were preparing theCheshire volume, Hubbard drove Pevsner around the county. In the introduction to the book, Pevsner says of Hubbard, "...his even temper and his psychological treatment of my moments of despondency were invaluable".[2]
In 1976 Hubbard was elected as a Fellow of theSociety of Antiquaries. In 1980, with Michael Shippobottom, he organised an exhibition at theRoyal Academy onLord Leverhulme, which led to the joint publication in 1988 ofA Guide to Port Sunlight Village. Hubbard was concerned with conservation, in particular with the upgrading of thelisting of Albert Dock in Liverpool from Grade II to Grade I, which resulted in its preservation as a commercial and tourist attraction.[1]
In his work with Pevsner, Hubbard had become an admirer of the works of John Douglas. When he enrolled with theUniversity of Manchester for anMA degree, Douglas was the subject of histhesis. This proved to be a substantial work of scholarship and Hubbard hoped it would be published. However he developedankylosing spondylitis which led to an increasing degree of disability,[1] and he died in 1989. The work was edited by Peter Howell and published posthumously by the Victorian Society in 1991 asThe Work of John Douglas.[1] Hubbard is commemorated in astained glass memorial window inWestminster Abbey, commissioned by his father.[3]
