Background
Keene was born in the London area, and at the age of 20 became Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
Keene was born in the London area, and at the age of 20 became Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter of Westminster.
Six years later, he was appointed Surveyor to the Fabric of Westminster Abbey. He worked in Ireland at various times between 1752 and 1766, but nearly all his known surviving buildings are in England, especially in London and Oxford, where he had houses, and on various country estates. While much of his work is in the neo-classical style, he was an early exponent of Strawberry Hill Gothic, making good use of his knowledge of the Gothic details of Westminster Abbey.
He died at his country house at Drayton Green near Ealing.
Trinity College, Dublin — jointly responsible with John Sanderson for the west front on College Green, 1752-1759
Hartwell, Buckinghamshire — built the church (now in ruins) in Gothic style, 1753-1755
High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. — Gothicised the church, 1754.
Built the Guildhall, 1757
Bowood House, Wiltshire — stables, 1754
Hartwell House, Buckinghamshire. — rebuilt the east front, et cetera, 1759-1761
Arbury Hall, Warwickshire — designs for Gothicising commissioned by Sir Roger Newdigate, 1762
Radcliffe Observatory, Oxford — begun, 1772-1776 (completed by Keene"s son Theodosius, under the direction of James Wyatt, 1794)
Worcester College, Oxford — Provost"s Lodgings and completion of George Clarke"s Terrace, 1773-1776.