Orpen, Richard Francis Caulfeild 1863 - 1938

Richard Francis Caulfeild Orpen [also known as Richard Francis Caulfield Orpen*] was born at Oriel, Blackrock, Co. Dublin, Ireland on 24 December 1863. After studying at Trinity College, Dublin, he was articled to Sir Thomas Drew (1838-1910) for four years. He then worked as his managing assistant for seven years.  He established his own independent practice in 1888. Most of his commissions came from members of the Protestant landed gentry and professional classes, for whom he designed houses in the country and in the neighbourhood of Dublin. Orpen also did a considerable amount of work for the Church of Ireland. In 1910 he formed a partnership with Page Dickinson which lasted until c.1918.   Following World War One, Orpen received commissions for war memorials and schemes for rebuilding country houses destroyed in the Troubles.

In addition to his work as an architect, he also worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, cartoonist and painter.   Orpen was on the Leinster and Connaught Committee of the Arts & Crafts Society of Ireland, and was a member of the Guild of Irish Art-Workers.  He participated in the 1st and 4th exhibitions of the Arts & Crafts Society of Ireland in Dublin in 1895 and 1910. He also exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in Dublin on numerous occasions, and at the New English Art Club in London.  He was elected an Associate of the Royal Hibernian Academy (ARHA) in 1911, and a full member of the Royal Hibernian Academy (RHA) in 1912. He died in Carrickmines, Ireland on 27 March 1938.  His brother was the painter and caricaturist William Orpen (1878-1931)

* His name is given as Richard Francis Caulfeild Orpen by the Royal Irish Academy Dictionary of Irish Biography