This popular and important textbook of Gothic architecture, first published in 1849, ran to at least sixteen editions. The book is divided into the main body of the text, with mostly English examples of the various periods, and a section on foreign styles (French Gothic, Italian, Spanish, Swiss, Belgian, German).
John Henry Parker CB (1 March 1806—31 January 1884) was an English archaeologist and writer on architecture and publisher.
He was born in London, the son of John Parker, a merchant there. He was educated at Manor House School, Chiswick, and was apprenticed in 1821 to his uncle, the Oxford bookseller Joseph Parker (1774—1850). He succeeded to his uncle's business in 1832, and ran the firm with great success, the most important of his publications being perhaps the series of the Oxford pocket classics.
In 1836 he published his Glossary of terms used in Grecian, Roman, Italian, and Gothic architecture, which, published during the Gothic Revival in England, had considerable influence in extending the movement, and supplied valuable inspiration to young architects. In 1848 he edited the fifth edition of Thomas Rickman's Gothic architecture, and in 1849 he published a handbook based on his earlier volume entitled Introduction to the study of Gothic architecture. The completion of Hudson Turner's Domestic architecture of the Middle Ages next engaged his attention, three volumes being published (1853—60). He published Medieval architecture of Chester in 1858 and Architectural antiquities of the city of Wells in 1866.
Parker was one of the chief advocates of the restoration of ecclesiastical buildings. In 1863 he and the Oxford Diocesan Architect G.E. Street revised plans for the restoration of St. Andrew's parish church, Chinnor. Parker also designed the triplet of traceried lancet windows in the chancel of St. Nicholas the Confessor, Forest Hill. His son James Parker (1832 or 1833—1912) also practiced as an architect.
