Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Groves, John Thomas
GROVES, JOHN THOMAS (d. 1811), architect, first appears as an exhibitor at the Royal Academy in 1778 and 1780, as 'John Groves, jun.,' of Millbank Street, Westminster, sending in each case views of Westminster Abbey and surrounding buildings. A view of Westminster Abbey by Groves, drawn in 1779, was subsequently engraved by J. Collyer. He resided in Italy for about ten years between 1780 and 1790. After returning to Westminster, he sent some Italian subjects to the Royal Academy in 1791 and 1792. On 17 June 1794 he was appointed clerk of the works at St. James's, Whitehall, and Westminster, under the board of works, succeeding Sir John Soane [q. v.] In this capacity he made the arrangements in the Chapel Royal, Whitehall, for the christening of Princess Charlotte in 1796. In 1807 Groves was appointed architect to the General Post Office, and was also surveyor to the first commissioners for the improvements at Westminster round St. Margaret's Church. Groves had considerable private practice as an architect. Among other works executed by him may be mentioned the baths at Tunbridge Wells and the Nelson monument on Portsdown Hill. He died of a paralytic stroke, 24 Aug. 1811, at his house in Great Scotland Yard, leaving a son and three daughters. He owned some freehold property at Great Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
[Dict. of Architecture; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760-1880.]