William Caroe, Born 1857
conservation architect
William Douglas Caroe (1857–1938) was a British architect, particularly of churches. He was born on 1 September 1857 in Holmsdale, Blundellsands near Liverpool, the youngest son of the Danish Consul in Liverpool, Anders Kruuse Caroe and Jane Kirkpatrick Green. He was educated at Ruabon Grammar School in Denbighshire, Wales before Trinity College, Cambridge, where he read mathematics. He married Grace Desborough, with whom he had two sons and a daughter. Caroe was a major figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement. He was architect to numerous ecclesiastical buildings including St David's and Durham Cathedrals, and Tewkesbury and Romsey Abbeys. The firm he founded, Caroe & Partners, still specialises in ecclesiastical architecture, especially the restoration of historic churches. It has been run by his son Alban and his grandson Martin. It is currently led by his great grandson Oliver Caroe, who is the architect responsible for the care of Ripon and St. Paul’s Cathedrals and of York Minster.
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