John Belcher (architect)

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John Belcher (1841-1913) was an English architect, born in Southwark, London. His father (1816-1890) of the same name was an established architect. The son was articled with his father, spending two years in France from 1862 where he studied contemporary architecture. In 1865 he was made a partner with his father who retired in 1875.

His first work to be built was in the City of London, the Royal Insurance building in 1865 in a French Renaissance style, demolished 1913. Also in London in 1870 he designed the Mappin & Webb building in Gothic style on the corner of Queen Victoria St and Poultry. In 1890 he designed the hall of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, which was one of the first Neo-baroque buildings in London. It included much sculpture by Sir Hamo Thornycroft and others, consisting of several high-relief panels as well as statues, he was joint architect of Whiteleys department store. Major commissions outside London include Colchester Town Hall 1898-1902 and the Ashton Memorial, designed and built 1906-1909 in Lancaster. Both of these are in the Baroque style, typical of the lavish creations of the Edwardian era.