R.S. Wilshere and his Modern Schools in Belfast: an Architecture of Individuality

From time to time since his death in 1961, R.S. Wilshere has been referred to as a leading figure in the development of Modern architecture in Ireland, and his series of schools built in Belfast between the two world wars has been cited as an important part of that story. Yet the full significance of his schools has not hitherto been discussed in detail, while the full extent of his building achievement has not been outlined anywhere. The great esteem in which Wilshere and his Belfast schools were once held by contemporaries, however, merits both the recounting of his life and overall career, and an explanation of the nature of his special achievement in schools architecture.

In addition to the twin aims of re-establishing Wilshere's reputation as an architect of more than usual worth and revealing the notable qualities of some of his schools, this exploration of his career and buildings also points to other themes of the inter-war era which have not been fully explored elsewhere and would benefit from further research.