Vitruvius Britannicus

Vitruvius Britannicus is a British series of architecture books published beginning in 1715. Each volume contains architectural drawings for a selection of British buildings. Most of the drawings are of English country houses, though there are also a small number of non-residential works and original designs. The title of the series refers to Vitruvius and the books feature British examples of Palladian architecture.

The first series, which comprises three volumes, was published between 1715 and 1725 and was authored by Colen Campbell. In 1739, a second series began with the publication by Badeslade and Rocque of a fourth volume. This volume differed substantially from the original series and featured topographic images mostly. In 1769 and 1771, Woolfe and Gandon, who did not consider the 1739 volume to be a legitimate successor to the originals, produced a second series comprising the fourth and fifth volumes. In the first decade of the 19th century, George Richardson produced a third series, called The New Vitruvius Britannicus, which comprised two volumes. A fourth series was written in 1972 with the publication of a guide to the eight books.

The books of the Vitruvius Britannicus are essential documents in the history of British architecture and provide a record of many of the country's most famous built works, including several buildings that are now lost. These include Campbell's magnum opus, Wanstead House, which was demolished in 1825. Additionally, the books serve as records of British culture immediately following the Acts of Union 1707 and the Peace of Utrecht. Most scholarship has focused on the composition of Campbell's first series, which one author said was considered "the most iconic British architectural book of the eighteenth century."