C. R. Cockerell

Charles Robert Cockerell (27 April 1788 – 17 September 1863) was an English architect, archaeologist and writer. He studied architecture under Robert Smirke and embarked on an extended Grand Tour lasting seven years, mainly in Greece. After returning to London he established a successful architectural practice. Appointed Professor of Architecture at the Royal Academy of Arts, he served between 1839 and 1859. Cockerell wrote widely on archaeology and architecture, and in 1848 became the first recipient of the Royal Gold Medal. While travelling in Greece he took part in the 1811 removal of the Temple of Aphaia’s pedimental sculptures on Aegina and the 1812 removal of the Bassae frieze, actions later described as plunder and antiquities smuggling. The Aphaia marbles were later acquired by Crown Prince Ludwig of Bavaria for the Glyptothek in Munich, and the Bassae frieze was purchased by the British Museum at a London auction in 1815.