How did The Seven Lamps of Architecture influence the conservation of historic buildings?

In The Seven Lamps of Architecture (1849), John Ruskin established moral principles to guide architectural practice, most notably through the "Lamp of Memory." This principle articulated a scrupulous respect for the original fabric of historic buildings, directly challenging the era's fashionable trend of "conjectural restoration," which often involved rebuilding or altering structures to suit contemporary stylistic preferences.12

By asserting that "the greatest glory of a building is its age," Ruskin fostered a new appreciation for the authenticity of historic craftsmanship. This philosophy became a foundational influence on William Morris, who went on to found the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings in 1877. Through this connection, Ruskin’s ideas provided the intellectual framework for the modern conservation movement, which prioritizes the preservation of existing structures over their replacement or idealized reconstruction.21