Ernest Augustus Runtz
Ernest Augustus Runtz FRIBA (22 February 1859 – 15 October 1913) was an English architect who is known for his work in theatres, particularly in London.
Also recorded as Ernest Runtz
Ernest Augustus Runtz
It's No Game · CC BY 2.0
- Name
- Ernest Augustus Runtz
- Born
- 1859
- Birthplace
- London, England
- Died
- 1913
- Nationality
- United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- architect
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Documentary summary
Ernest Augustus Runtz FRIBA (22 February 1859 – 15 October 1913) was an English architect who is known for his work in theatres, particularly in London.
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Ernest Augustus Runtz was an architect; nationality: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Ernest Augustus Runtz was born in 1859. Died in 1913.
Composed from admitted, traceable facts · 27 September 2026
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Documentary evidence
Documentary basis
Authority files
wikidata · Q84497712 · wikipedia · Ernest Runtz
In this article
Key facts
Key facts
• Name — Ernest Augustus Runtz • Born — 1859 • Birthplace — London, England • Died — 1913 • Place of death — London, England • Significant Buildings — Gaiety Theatre
Training
Training
Ernest Runtz was articled to Samuel Walker from 1875 to 1880, becoming his partner in 1883. He then studied architecture at University College London, attending lectures by Thomas Roger Smith. Working under Frederick Farrow, he qualified as an architect and started his own practice in 1897.
Works
Works
Runtz would work on a number of theatre buildings for which he was most known. He submitted designs for the buildings to be built on the newly developed Aldwych, in the end serving as architect for the Gaiety Theatre. His work on 54-55 Cornhill saw the addition of the Cornhill Devils, demonic grotesques allegedly put in place as an act of revenge against the priest of the neighbouring St Peter's Cornhill with whom he had a conflict and falling out. His works include: • 54–55 Cornhill (1893) • Adelphi Theatre (1901), replaced by a new design in 1930 • Marina Theatre (1901) • Theatre Royal, Birmingham (1902), demolished 1956 • Gaiety Theatre (1903) • 162–165 Piccadilly (1909) • 36–38 Queen Anne's Gate (1910)
One of several little devils at 54-55 Cornhill (1893), in the City of London, with St Peter's church behind. The story is that the architect Ernest Runtz added the numerous devil sculptures to the building after a dispute with the vicar of St Peter's over the boundary between the two properties. This one has lost a horn at some point over the years.
It's No Game · Cornhill Devil up close
54-55 Cornhill (1893), in the City of London, with St Peter's church behind. The story is that the architect Ernest Runtz added the numerous devil sculptures to the building after a dispute with the vicar of St Peter's over the boundary between the two properties.
It's No Game · Cornhill Devils St Peter's
Primary material
Documents and archives
reference work
- “Ernest Runtz”, English Wikipedia, consulted as further reading
Reputable secondary · Wikipedia
authority record
- Wikidata, structured authority record Q84497712: Ernest Augustus Runtz
General reference · Wikidata
Notes from the source article
Cited by Wikipedia
Notes from the source article
These works are cited by the source article, in its own numbering. They are recorded as its citations, not as sources VALÉORINE has verified.
- 1.Brodie, Antonia. Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Updated&Expanded ed. / by Antonia Brodie . [et al.]; Foreword by Mark Girouard. Continuum. Bloomsbury Publishing PLC. 515–516. 2001. 9780826455147.
- 2.Gray, A. Stuart. Edwardian Architecture: A Biographical Dictionary. Wordsworth Editions. 314–315. 1985. 0-7156-2141-6.
- 3.Ernest Runtz F.R.I.B.A., F.S.I., Theatre Design and Construction (1913). www.arthurlloyd.co.uk.
- 4.Wignall, Katie. The hidden sights Londoners glued to their phones are missing. The Daily Telegraph. 2019.
References
Citations
References
Each reference names the institution holding it, so a reader may go to the document itself.
reference work
Secondary witnessauthority record
General reference
The Encyclopedia exists whether or not anything is for sale. Corrections are recorded rather than overwritten, and every version of this record is kept. Published 18 August 2026.
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