author
Martin S. (Martin Shaw) Briggs
1882–1977
Best known for bringing serious attention to Baroque architecture in English-language writing, this British architectural historian wrote with the eye of a practicing architect and the curiosity of a traveler. His books helped generations of readers look more closely at buildings, cities, and design history.
1 Audiobook
Rusticus : or, The future of the countryside
by Martin S. (Martin Shaw) Briggs
About the author
Martin S. Briggs was a British architectural historian, architect, and author whose full name was Martin Shaw Briggs. Born in 1882, he studied at Mill Hill School and Leeds University, later moved to London to practice architecture, became a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1905, and also lectured at the Bartlett School of Architecture.
He is especially remembered for his writing on Baroque architecture, a field he explored before it was widely treated as a major subject in English-language scholarship. Alongside his historical studies, he wrote books for general readers and students on architecture in Britain, Italy, and beyond, combining clear explanation with a strong sense of place.
Briggs lived a long life that stretched into 1977, and his work reflects both professional architectural training and deep historical interest. For listeners drawn to art, buildings, travel, or the story of how cities take shape, his writing offers an informed but approachable guide.