The Making of a Victorian Clerk of Works: William Conradi and the Rebuilding of Glasgow University, 1866-1872

The paper which follows gives an account of the work of William Conradi, who was clerk of works to the rebuilding of Glasgow University from 1866-c1872 under the celebrated architect, George Gilbert Scott. It commences with a short prehistory of the project, then outlines Conradi’s chequered experience in supervising it, detailing the various difficulties which he faced and how these were overcome. The paper concludes with a short comparison between Conradi and several other contemporary clerks of works who have left some evidence of their life and work.