William Hollins (18 March 1763 - 12 January 1843) was an 18th/19th century English architect and sculptor. His work is largely in the Greek Revival and Gothic styles.
He was born in Shifnal in Shropshire on 18 March 1763[1] the son of John and Mary Hollins. He was originally apprenticed as a stonemason then went to London to train as an architect, specifically studying Vitruvius. He is known to have assisted George Saunders on his Theatre Royal project on New Street in 1793. He then set up his own practice in Birmingham around 1795.[2]
By 1800 he was living at 17 Great Hampton Street in Birmingham. In 1806 he lost a prestigious commission for a memorial to Horatio Nelson in the centre of Birmingham which was instead won by Richard Westmacott.[3]
He exhibited at the Royal Academy from 1821 to 1825.[4]
He died at home in Great Hampton Street on 12 January 1843 aged 79. He is buried in the churchyard of St Paul's Church, Birmingham. The grave is marked by a granite obelisk. An ornate memorial window inside the church holds a bust of William Hollins by his son Peter.[5]
Hollins made a precise study of the principles of carving in relation to Roman lettering: this was published under the title of "The British Standard of the Capital Letters contained in the Roman Alphabet". This is one of the first uses of the term "British Standard".[7] It is one of the few books looking at the craft of letter carving.
He was married to Catherine (d.1831). They had many children.
His eldest son William Hollins (1788-1831) was also a sculptor and worked in his father's studio. He was an organist at St Paul's Church.
He was father to the sculptor Peter Hollins and uncle to the artist John Hollins.
Thomas his son was also a stonemason.
His youngest daughter "Mrs Bown" cared for him in later life and died in 1891.[8]