Allom, Thomas

Thomas Allom (1804–1872) was an architect, topographical illustrator, and founding member of the Royal Institute of British Architects. Best known for his finely detailed and romanticised engravings, Allom produced hundreds of views for mid-19th-century travel books, regional histories, and pictorial surveys, often published by Fisher, Son & Co. His most substantial body of work appears in Allom’s Northern Counties, a richly illustrated series documenting the historic towns, castles, churches, and landscapes of northern England. This was followed by Allom’s Midland Counties, Caledonia Illustrated, Scotland Illustrated, Devonshire Illustrated, and Cornwall Illustrated, all offering regional views notable for their architectural precision and atmospheric charm. He also contributed scenes from across Europe and the Mediterranean in works such as The Shores and Islands of the Mediterranean. His output provided Victorian audiences with visual access to the British Isles and the wider world.