Architect and engineer. With a family legacy of architecture work, after education at the Royal High School, he studied both carpentry and masonry over the next six years. In the fall of 1754, he traveled through Europe to study architecture styles in France and Italy. While there he added architectural and figure drawing to his skill set. In 1757, he won the silver medal in the triennial architecture competition at the Accademia di San Luca. While in Florence, he was elected to the Academy of Art. Once he returned to London, he won the 1760 competition for the new Blackfriars Bridge. He was responsible for the design, construction and maintenance of the bridge along with the approach roads. Nine years later, the bridge was completed. He continued to serve as its' surveyor until his death. He also designed a number of homes and public buildings. His first house was "Cally" in Galloway, and his largest was built in Tusmore. "The Wick", the small house designed for Lady St. Aubyn in 1775 was built in Richmond. He completed his own house "The Grove" in 1797. His first public design was built in Edinburgh for the Musical Society. The Hall survives today as a part of Edinburgh University. Some of his public works include Stationers' Hall, Wormleybury Manor, and Clachan Bridge. In 1766, he was tasked for designing and erecting a tribute for Christopher Wren at St. Paul's Cathedral. In addition, he purchased over two hundred of Wren's drawings, bound and presented them to the Cathedral, assuring their preservation. He also held positions as clerk of works at Greenwich Hospital, surveyor to Canterbury Cathedral, and for the New River Company. His marriage to Mary produced nine children. At her death, he designed the mausoleum at her grave site. He was one of the founders of the Society of Civil Engineers, the first engineering society in the world and also was the founder of the Architects Club.