George I. Barnett

Louis as well as for his influence on other architects in the United States.

• Name — George I. Barnett • Birth Name — George Ingham Barnett • Born — 1815 • Birthplace — Nottingham, England • Died — 29 December 1898 • Place of death — St. Louis, Missouri, U.S. • Significant Buildings — Missouri Governor's Mansion, Tower Grove House, Henry Shaw Mausoleum, Boyle Mansion

Barnett was born in Nottingham, England. He completed a classical education by the age of 16, then trained with Sir Thomas Hine at a builder in Nottingham, and then took on an apprenticeship with an architectural firm in London. Barnett left England for the United States in early 1839, remaining in New York City for six months before departing for St. Louis.

Barnett designed hundreds of buildings in St. Louis, many in Greek Revival, Italianate, and Gothic design. Barnett did not deviate from classical designs, and his portfolio was largely responsible for establishing Classicism as St. Louis' dominant architectural influence. His works included houses, churches, commercial, and civic structures. Among his best known structures are renovations to the Old Courthouse, the Missouri Governor's mansion, the structures of the Missouri Botanical Garden, Tower Grove Park, the Southern Hotel, and country home of Louis Auguste Benoist. The Samuel Moody Grubbs House in Litchfield Illinois. The only structure in Illinois he designed. It is a second Empire design. Barnett died at his home in St. Louis on December 29, 1898. • Illustration — Tower Grove House, 1849 • Illustration — Old Courthouse, completed 1864 • Illustration — Grand Avenue Water Tower, 1871 • Illustration — Missouri Governor's Mansion, 1871 • Illustration — Tower Grove Park, 1875 • Illustration — Henry Shaw Mausoleum, 1889