Henry Bell (architect)

Henry Bell (1647–1711) was an English architect, a contemporary of Christopher Wren.

Bell was born in King's Lynn, Norfolk and baptised in St Margaret's Church. He was the son of a wealthy merchant family^[1] and his father was twice mayor. He was admitted to Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge in 1661.^[2]

He designed many buildings in West Norfolk including the Custom House in King's Lynn and All Saints Church in North Runcton.^[3]

He served twice as Mayor of King's Lynn,^[4] he was well educated and travelled through Europe. In 1676 he met Robert Hooke, who shared with him his experiences of rebuilding London following the Great Fire. This knowledge had a bearing on his future work, as the design of North Runcton Church shows similarities with those employed by Wren, for example St Mary-at-Hill.^[5] He was responsible for the rebuilding of All Saints' Church and possibly the Sessions House, Northampton after a fire.

During 1690 and 1695 the Kimbolton Castle courtyard was remodelled and attributed on stylistic grounds to Henry Bell who refronted the Tudor courtyard, introduced galleries and the main staircase.^[6]

He died in 1711.