James Peacock (1735/1738–1814), architect and surveyor, was for over forty years assistant clerk of works to the City of London. “Peacock published several works on architectural subjects. The most important of these was entitled Oikidia, or, Nutshells, and was published under the anagrammatic pseudonym of of ‘Jose Mac Packe, bricklayer’s labourer’, in 1785. It contains ‘ichnographic distributions’ (i.e. plans) for small villas, together with some satirical directions for prospective builders.”—Colvin.
Harris, 694; RIBA, Early Printed Books, 2472; Archer, 255.1; Colvin, Dictionary of British Architects, p. 744.