‘Let us Sin with Salvin’: Architecture and Authority at the Tower of London, 1896–1905

Contrary to prior assumptions, the Office of Works continued significant architectural interventions at the Tower of London beyond the 1880s, extending into the early twentieth century. This study reveals that restoration efforts during 1896–1905 were not merely maintenance but a deliberate strategy by authorities to shape the historical narrative of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Analyzing previously unexplored architectural drawings from Historic Royal Palaces, the research demonstrates how the Office balanced its role as a military garrison, historic monument, and tourist attraction while navigating growing public and parliamentary demands for preservation. The findings challenge the notion that radical restorations ceased after the 1880s, highlighting instead a sustained effort to control the site's architectural storytelling.

Inglesby, R. (2017). ‘Let us Sin with Salvin’: Architecture and Authority at the Tower of London, 1896–1905. Architectural History, 60, 243–275. https://doi.org/10.1017/arh.2017.8