John Lewis Wolfe

John Lewis Wolfe was born in Streatham, today part of south London. He was the eldest of two sons born to Lewis Wolfe (1761–1838), comptroller of HM Stationery Office, and his wife Ann (née Porter, 1773–1830). In 1813, Wolfe was articled to the architect Joseph Gwilt, becoming his favourite pupil. In September 1819, he began a three-year tour of Europe to study architecture. While in Rome, he met Charles Barry, starting a life-long friendship while measuring and drawing Italian Renaissance buildings. Wolfe accompanied Barry to Florence and Veneto, then travelled to Greece and Sicily with architects Thomas Leverton Donaldson and W. W. Jenkins, before returning to London in 1822. ==Business career==

He started in architectural practice, entering a design competition for new buildings at King's College, Cambridge, but his Italian design was unsuccessful. Wolfe's influence is evident in designs for the Travellers Club (1829), in Barry's successful competition entry for the Reform Club (1837), and in Barry's designs for the Houses of Parliament at Westminster. Victoria Tower, St Stephen's porch, the ceilings of both houses, and the clock tower are said to show Wolfe's modifications. ==References==