John Harper
John Harper (1809–1842) was an English architect. • Illustration — John Harper, portrait by William Etty
John Harper
William Etty · This file originated on the York Museums Trust Online Collection. YMT hosted a GLAMwiki partnership in 2013/14. This tag does not indicate the copyright status of the attached work. A normal copyrigh · Public domain
- Born
- 1809 · Blackburn.
- Died
- 1842 · Naples.
- Nationality
- United Kingdom · United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- Occupation
- architect · painter · artist
- Languages
- English
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John Harper (1809–1842) was an English architect. • Illustration — John Harper, portrait by William Etty
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wikidata · Q16737227
In this article
Life
Life
Harper was born at Dunkenhalgh Hall, near Blackburn, Lancashire, on 11 November 1809. He studied architecture under Benjamin and Philip Wyatt, and when with them prepared the designs for Apsley House, York House, and the Duke of York's Column. Harper went into practice as an architect at York. When travelling in Italy to study art, he caught a malarial fever in Rome. While still in a weak state he went on to Naples, where he died on 18 October 1842. William Etty, David Roberts and Clarkson Stanfield were among his friends.
Works
Works
• Illustration — All Saints Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire, design by John Harper Harper was employed by the Duke of Devonshire at Bolton Abbey, by Lord Londesborough, and others. Some of his best-known works were St Peter's School, York, the Roman Catholic church at Bury, Lancashire, and Elton church in the same town. In 1837, Harper was hired by Ann Lister to remodel Shibden Hall shortly before his death.
Depictions
Depictions
• Illustration — All Saints Church, Clayton-le-Moors, Lancashire, design by John Harper Harper was depicted in Gentleman Jack Tv Series Season 2 Episode 7 and 8 by actor Luke Newberry as he begins to remodel Shibden Hall. His work and person was described by the characters as "excellent and young at only 26...He is widely regarded as something of a phenomenon. They all say he is destined for very great things" (season 2 episode 7).
Life and career
Dated record
Life and career
The full dated record · 2 entries
1809
John Harper was born on 1 January 1809.
1842
John Harper died on 1 January 1842.
Places
Named by the record
Places
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Blackburn.
Birth place
Naples.
Death place
References
Citations
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authority record
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John Harper is recorded as a citizen of United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. Recorded with the occupation architect.
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 17 August 2026.
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