In 1809 he published the "Costumes of the Ancients", and in 1812 "Designs of Modern Costumes", works which display a large amount of antiquarian research. "A Historical Essay on Architecture," which featured illustrations based on early Hope drawings, was published posthumously by his family in 1835. Thus Hope became famous in London's aristocratic circles as 'the costume and furniture man'. The sobriquet was regarded as a compliment by his enthusiastic supporters, but for his critics, including Lord Byron, it was a term of ridicule.