Sir Banister Fletcher - A History of Architecture

A History of Architecture

With his father, he co-authored the first edition of A History of Architecture on the Comparative Method. This became a standard reference work, with updated editions published throughout the 20th century.

There was a major revision with the 6th edition in 1921, when much of the text was rewritten by Fletcher and his first wife. This was over twenty years after his father’s death, and for this edition his father’s name was dropped, and the very numerous drawings replaced by new ones by George G. Woodward and others. According to J. Mordaunt Crook this edition concentrated ‘on supplying an epitomised history of world architecture’ such that ‘Fletcher turned a useful handbook into a veritable student’s bible.’ Fletcher produced the sixteenth edition shortly before his death in 1953.

A centenary 20th edition edited by Dan Cruickshank was produced in 1996.

• "A thundering classic appears again with useful additions. As Sir Banister Fletcher said, 'The study of architecture opens up the enjoyment of buildings with an appreciation of their purpose, meaning, and charm.' These words aptly summarise what this book has become for generations of students and architects. No serious fan of architecture should be without it." (American Institute of Architects).

• "..the whole point of Banister Fletcher is that it does cram everything into a single volume. It will remain one of the most thumbed tomes in Building Design's office library...above all, gloriously and frustratingly, invaluable." (Building Design, October 1996)