History: The architect behind Sydney University's iconic early buildings

Built on a farm that was used to graze the governor’s cows and grow hay, Sydney University’s first buildings were designed by Edmund Blacket who argued for sandstone as building material rather than the senate’s cheaper preference of brick with stone facings.

The newly built Great Hall and Quadrangle set among Sydney University’s paddocks, 1871.

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Sydney University was built on Grose Farm which had been used to graze the Governor’s cows and grow hay for his horses.

Its first buildings were the Great Hall and Quadrangle, completed in 1860. Of Pyrmont sandstone, the Victorian Gothic structure was designed by Edmund Blacket who argued against the Senate’s cheaper preference of brick with stone facings.

The original concept included homes for staff but these were never built. Blacket also designed St Paul’s College.

The University of Sydney in more recent times.

Engineer, draftsman, surveyor, painter of stained glass and church organist, Blacket arrived in Sydney from Yorkshire with his new bride Sarah in 1842.

Appointed diocesan architect, he completed Christ Church St Laurence, St Andrew’s Cathedral, St Philip’s, St Mark’s Darling Point and St Paul’s Redfern. In 1849 he became colonial architect, and was responsible for bridges, lighthouses and other public buildings.

He moved to Glebe, travelling by boat to the city from the bottom of Ferry Rd.

At night four men escorted him home through heavy timber, and his wife kept two pistols in case of trouble.

Architect Edmund Blacket

Sydney University in Camperdown.

In 1858, the Blackets moved into a new home which Edmund designed. Bidura was set in gardens on the road to Glebe Point, a dirt track dusty in fine weather and muddy when it rained. Household goods were delivered on bullock-drawn drays and public transport was provided by horse-drawn omnibuses.

Elected to the first Glebe Council in 1859, Blacket lobbied successfully for the extension of water mains to the suburb. After Sarah’s death in 1869, he moved with his eight children to Balmain.

He died in 1883 and was buried with his wife in Balmain Cemetery.

Bidura House in Glebe which was also designed by Edmund Blacket.

When this was converted into Leichhardt’s Pioneers Memorial Park, their tombstone was relocated to Camperdown Cemetery near St Stephen’s Church, another of Edmund’s designs.

Three Blacket sons became architects; Cyril designed the vestry and tower of his father’s St John’s Bishopthorpe, a Glebe landmark. Eldest daughter Edith, who studied drawing with Conrad Martens, sketched Glebe houses including her family home. Sharp-eyed locals recently spotted Bidura in location scenes in the ABC series Rake.

● Lyn Collingwood is a historian with The Glebe Society which celebrates its 50th birthday in 2019.