Book excerpt: Sir Ernest George (1839-1922) was one of England's greatest architects of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He specialised in domestic work and was responsible for beautiful and imaginative houses in both town and country, and with his three successive partners, he carried out over 200 works both in Britain and abroad. He was also a watercolourist of considerable stature whose work in the medium was acclaimed in his own time. This richly illustrated book is the first study of the man and his work and will establish him as one of the major names in his profession. His life and career is fully documented, the buildings are described and a full catalogue of works is provided. A special feature is a study of pupils and assistants who passed through George's office, including several who went on to be famous and successful - Edwin Lutyens, Guy Dawber, J. J. Joass, R. Weir Schultz - and also the first woman to be become a member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, Ethel Mary Charles. Hilary Grainger is a dean at the London College of Fashion and is the recognised expert on George and his architecture. She is also a leading authority on the architecture of cremation and is the chair of the Victorian Society.