Study for The Hall and Staircase, British Museum, from Microcosm of London

Augustus Charles Pugin (1762–1832) was a French-born British artist, architectural draftsman, and illustrator, best known for his work in architectural illustration and design. He was born in Paris, France, and later moved to London, England, where he made significant contributions to the field of architectural illustration during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Pugin is perhaps most famous for his collaboration with the architect John Nash on the design and illustration of the "Views of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton" (1826). This work showcased the elaborate and exotic architectural style of the Royal Pavilion, a former royal residence in Brighton, England, which was heavily influenced by Indian and Chinese design motifs. In addition to his collaboration with Nash, Pugin worked on various other architectural projects and publications, including "Specimens of Gothic Architecture" (1821-1838), which featured detailed illustrations of Gothic buildings and ornamentation. His illustrations were highly influential in popularizing the Gothic Revival style in Britain during the early 19th century. Pugin's son, Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin, also became a prominent architect and designer, known for his work on the interior of the Palace of Westminster in London, including the design of the iconic clock tower known as Big Ben.