Richard Armstrong, senior was an architect and builder active, particularly in Berkshire, England, in the mid- to late-19th century. He was born in Dumfriesshire, Scotland in 1799, the son of a Dumfries solicitor, Edward Armstrong, and Nellie Hay.
Armstrong is thought to have received some architectural training in the offices of William Burn sometime before 1839. He was later recruited by Edward Blore as a clerk of works and built Haveringland Hall, Norfolk in 1839-42. Armstrong moved to London where he set up an independent practice at 18 Westbourne Park Villas in the 1850s.
Armstrong died in 1875. His architectural practice, which consisted almost wholly of country house and church work for the Fellowes and Benyon families, was continued by his son, Richard Armstrong, junior (born 1842 at Haveringland Hall, Norfolk, died 1909). Richard junior had earlier, in the 1860s, been articled to his father.
Sources:
Dictionary of Scottish Architects, DSA Biography Report, 'Richard Armstrong' <http://www.codexgeo.co.uk/dsa/architect_full.php?id=M004538> [accessed 15 February 2008]