Thomas Allom was a painter and architect specializing in topographical illustrations. Born in England in 1804, Allom worked from 1819 to 1826 for the architect Francis Goodwin before attending the Royal Academy School. Allom went on to design buildings in London, Wiltshire, Liverpool, and Nottingham including St Peter's Church and the Houses of Parliament. Allom traveled extensively and contributed hundreds of illustrations for travel and topographical books.