Benjamin Ferrey
Benjamin Ferrey FSA FRIBA (1 April 1810–22 August 1880) was an English architect who worked mostly in the Gothic Revival.
"Ferrey" redirects here. For the Ethiopian river, see Ferrey River.
Benjamin Ferrey
1 April 1810
22 August 1880 (aged 70)
British
Architect
Family[edit]
Benjamin Ferrey was the youngest son of Benjamin Ferrey Snr (1779–1847), a draper who became Mayor of Christchurch, then in Hampshire, and his wife Ann Pillgrem (1773–1824).[1] He was educated at Wimborne Grammar School.
Ferrey married twice. On 26 April 1836 at Islington, he married Ann Mary (Annie) Lucas (1812–1871). They had five children: Alicia (1838–1924), Ellen (1840–41), Eleanor Mary (1842–45),
Benjamin Edmund (1845–1900) and
Annie (1847–1926). Benjamin Edmund or Edmund Benjamin[2] also became an architect, studying under his father and then assisting in his work.
After the death of his first wife in 1871, he married a second time, in 1872 at Weymouth, Dorset to Emily Hopkinson (1829–1922).
Ferrey died on 22 August 1880 at his London home.
Career[edit]
After grammar school, Ferrey went to London to study under Augustus Charles Pugin and alongside Pugin's son Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin.
In his early twenties Ferrey toured continental Europe, 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 his practice was in the design of the new seaside resort of Bournemouth, particularly his work on Bournemouth Gardens with Decimus Burton. The business grew rapidly and was very successful, with Ferrey designing and restoring or rebuilding many Church of England parish churches. Ferrey also designed private houses and public buildings, including a number of Tudor Revival ones in the earlier part of his career.[4]
Charles Eastlake in his History of the Gothic Revival described Ferrey as "one of the earliest, ablest, and most zealous pioneers of the modern Gothic school" and said his work "possessed the rare charm of simplicity, without lacking interest".[5]
Ferrey was twice Vice-President of the Royal Institute of British Architects and in 1870 was awarded a Royal Gold Medal. 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 and the Bishop's Palace. He was also appointed Honorary Secretary to the Architects' Committee for the Houses of Parliament.