Early life William Hosking

an illustration of small egyptian temple, hosking s chapter on architecture in encyclopædia britannica (offprint pub. 1832). hosking later chosen founders of abney park cemetery design pair of similar temple lodges front entrance.

hosking born @ buckfastleigh in devon, son of woolen manufacturer. in 1809 emigrated parents new south wales (which joined federation of australia in 1901), father, business interests in devon had been doing poorly, had accepted government office. here hosking s architectural career began apprenticed surveyor , builder. profession continued interest him when, in 1819, returned england seek further training, becoming articled wesleyan minister-turned-architect, rev. william jenkins.

in 1820s hosking completed articles , travelled in southern europe, including italy; study art , architecture jenkins s son john. subsequently led exhibiting drawings @ royal academy (including temple of concord, agrigentum , temple of neptune @ paestum ) , provided original material first book: selection of architectural , other ornaments, greek, roman , italian drawn originals in various museums , buildings in italy, published in 1827. such scholarship led being elected fellow of society of antiquaries in 1830. @ date commissioned encyclopædia britannica, contribute chapters headed architecture , building , later supplemented drainage of towns .

his interest in antiquities—in particular scholarly observation of architectural details of historic buildings—became reinforced membership of forerunner of royal historical society, camden society. indeed, historical accuracy came characterise hosking s approach architecture, sought mix historical elements in appropriate ways. eye historical detail combined concern equally detailed practical improvements in construction techniques (such fire retardation, damp proofing, , other aspects of has become known today branch of civil engineering known building control).