Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hakewill, James
HAKEWILL, JAMES (1778–1843), architect, second son of John Hakewill [q. v.], born 1778, was brought up as an architect, and exhibited some designs at the Royal Academy. He is best known for his illustrated publications. In 1813 he published a series of ‘Views of the Neighbourhood of Windsor, &c.,’ with engravings by eminent artists from his own drawings. In 1816–17 he travelled in Italy, and on his return published in parts ‘A Picturesque Tour of Italy,’ in which some of his own drawings were finished into pictures for engraving by J. M. W. Turner, R.A. In 1820–1 he visited Jamaica, and subsequently published ‘A Picturesque Tour in the Island of Jamaica,’ from his own drawings. In 1828 he published ‘Plans, Sections, and Elevations of the Abattoirs in Paris, with considerations for their adoption in London.’ He also published a small tract on Elizabethan architecture. He was engaged in some works at High Legh and Tatton, Cheshire, and in 1836 was a competitor for the erection of the new houses of parliament. Hakewill is also supposed to be the author of ‘Cælebs suited, or the Stanley Letters,’ in 1812. He was collecting materials for a work on the Rhine when he died in London, 28 May 1843. He married in 1807, at St. George's, Hanover Square, Maria Catherine, daughter of W. Browne of Green Street, Grosvenor Square, herself a well-known portrait-painter, and a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Academy, who died in 1842. He left four sons, Arthur William, Henry James, Frederick Charles, a portrait-painter, and Richard Whitworth.
Hakewill, Arthur William (1808–1856), architect, the eldest son, born in 1808, was educated under his father, and in 1826 became a pupil of Decimus Burton. He was best known as a writer and lecturer. In 1835 he published ‘An Apology for the Architectural Monstrosities of London;’ in 1836 a treatise on perspective; in 1851 ‘Illustrations of Thorpe Hall, Peterborough,’ and ‘Modern Tombs; Gleanings from the Cemeteries of London,’ besides other architectural works. He died 19 June 1856, having married in 1848 Jane Sanders of Northhill, Bedfordshire.
Hakewill, Henry James (1813–1834), sculptor, the second son of James Hakewill, was born in St. John's Wood, London, 11 April 1813. He early showed a taste for sculpture, and in 1830 and 1832 exhibited at the Royal Academy, when his sculptures attracted notice. He died 13 March 1834.
[Dict. of Architecture; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists; Graves's Dict. of Artists, 1760–1880; Brit. Mus. Cat.; private information.]