Master mason who worked with Christopher Wren in the City of London after the Great Fire. His masterpiece is considered the funeral monument to Archbishop Gilbert Sheldon (1598-1677) in St John the Baptist, Croydon.
Worked for Sir Christopher Wren as: mason contractor for the rebuilding of St Mildred, Poultry; as a master mason at St Paul’s Cathedral; and as surveyor-general at Hampton Court. But here the relationship soured. In December 1689 part of the works for which he was responsible collapsed, killing two workmen and injuring 11 others. Latham blamed Wren for the accident, and, not surprisingly, was sacked.
However he continued working on building schemes in the City until shortly before his death, assisted by his son Robert. His wife Elizabeth carried on the business.
Three other funeral monuments by Latham are known but they have no figures.
Information from English 18th Century Portrait Sculpture and The London Dead.
