Roger North

Roger North 1653-1734, English biographer. A lawyer, he wrote excellent biographies of his brothers: Francis North, Lord Guilford, Keeper of the Great Seal (1742); Dudley North, a merchant (1744); and John North, master of Trinity College, Cambridge (1744). He is also noted for his Autobiography (1887).

North, Roger (b ?Tostock, Suffolk, c. 1651; d Rougham, Norfolk, 1734). Eng. author, lawyer, and musician. M. P. and Attorney-Gen. under James II but in 1688 retired to country life at Rougham. Wrote many essays on mus. His reminiscences span from the time of consorts of viols heard in his boyhood to Purcell and the It. ‘invasion’ of early 18th cent. They are specially valuable for their detailed discussion of performing practice in his lifetime.

North, Roger (c.1653–1734). Aristocratic English amateur architect, he played an important role in negotiations with Barbon for the rebuilding of The Temple, London, after the fire of 1678/9. He designed the Great Gateway from Fleet Street to The Temple (1683–4), and was responsible for a number of other competent Classical designs, including alterations to Wroxton Abbey, Oxon. (1680–5), and to a house at Rougham, Norfolk (1690s—destroyed). An essay, entitled ‘Of Building’ by him survives in the British Library.

Bibliography

BL Add. MSS 23005, 32510, 32540;
Colvin (1995);
Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (2004)