Since its foundation in 1768, the Royal Academy has counted many of Britain's most illustrious architects among its membership. This handsome book, generously funded by the Thaw Charitable Trust, illustrates the architect-Academician's Diploma Works. These works, representative examples of their output, are presented to the institution on their election. They include such varied projects as Sir John Soane's designs for a new House of Lords, Sir Robert Smirke's reconstructive interpretation of the Acropolis at Athens, William Wilkins' designs for the gateway and screen at Kings College, Cambridge, Alfred Waterhouse's Manchester Town Hall, Sir Edwin Lutyens' work in New Delhi and Sir Nicholas Grimshaws' Waterloo International Terminal. Neil Bingham's incisive texts explore the background to each work, and his illuminating introduction considers the discipline of architecture within the history of the Royal Academy as a whole.