Benjamin Ferrey

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Benjamin Ferrey, F.S.A., FRIBA was a Gothic Revival architect. He was born on 1 April 1810 in Christchurch, Hampshire and died on 22 August 1880 at 55 Inverness Terrace, London.

Benjamin Ferrey was the youngest son of Benjamin Ferrey Snr, a draper who became Mayor of Christchurch. He attended Wimborne Grammar School before being sent to London to study under Augustus Charles Pugin, alongside Pugin's son Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. In 1861 Ferrey would publish a book about the Pugins, entitled Recollections of A N Welby Pugin and his father Augustus Pugin.

While in his early 20s, Ferrey toured the Continent, then studied further in the office of William Wilkins. He started his own architectural practice in 1834, in Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London. Some of the earliest work of the practice was in the design of the new seaside resort of Bournemouth. The business grew rapidly and became hugely successful, with Ferrey designing and restoring many churches.

Ferrey was twice Vice-President of the Royal Institute of British Architects and a Royal Gold Medal recipient in 1870. He was Diocesan Architect to the Diocese of Bath and Wells from 1841 until his death, carrying out much of the restoration work on Wells Cathedral. He was also appointed Honorary Secretary to the Architects' Committee for the Houses of Parliament.

[edit] Family

In 1836 Benjamin married Ann Lucas. They had two daughters, Alicia and Annie, along with one son, Benjamin Edmund Ferrey. Benjamin Edmund also became an architect. After studying under his father, he assisted in his father's work.