Early Life and Career
Hardwick was born in Brentford, the son of a master mason turned architect also named Thomas Hardwick (1725–98, son of another Thomas, 1681–1746, also a mason, who in 1711 left Herefordshire for Isleworth,where the family retained property, and moved to Brentford in 1725) who worked with the architect brothers Robert and John Adam on nearby Syon House between 1761-1767. Both father and son were associated with Syon from about the 1720s and employment continued until the early 19th century. The Hardwicks were one of the finest architectural families during the 19th century. Thomas Hardwick, his son Philip Hardwick (1792–1870), and then grandson Philip Charles Hardwick (1822–1892) each held the post of Surveyor to St Bartholomew's Hospital, London.
In 1769, aged 17, he enrolled at the new Royal Academy Schools, where he studied architecture under Sir William Chambers, for whom he later worked during the construction of Somerset House. During his first year at the Royal Academy he won the silver medal in architecture, and from 1772 to 1805 he exhibited there.
In his early twenties Hardwick travelled to Europe at his own expense, visiting Paris and Lyon, before heading for Italy accompanied by artist Thomas Jones (1742–1803). He lived in Naples and then Rome for two years from 1776, filling his notebooks with sketches and measured drawings and gaining a grounding in classical architecture which was to influence his own neo-classical style. He also renewed his acquaintance with fellow Academy pupil John Soane (1753–1837).
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