Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/I'Anson, Edward
I'ANSON, EDWARD (1812–1888), architect, born in St. Laurence Pountney Hill, London, 25 July 1812, was eldest son of Edward I'Anson (1775-1853), surveyor and architect in London. I'Anson was educated partly at the Merchant Taylors' School, and partly at the College of Henri IV in France, and was articled at an early age to his father. Subsequently he entered the office of John Wallen, principal quantity surveyor at that time in the city. At the close of his indentures I'Anson travelled for two years, extending his tour as far as Constantinople. On his return in 1837 he entered into practice, both as assistant to his father and as an independent architect. His first important building in the City was the Royal Exchange Buildings, designed for Sir Francis Graham Moon. This brought him into repute, and obtained for him the chief practice as architect in the city. I'Anson designed the greater part of the fine buildings in the city built exclusively for offices. Those executed by him in the Italian style, like the buildings of the British and Foreign Bible Society, were the most successful. Among his designs in the Gothic style may be noted the school of the Merchant Taylors' Company at the Charterhouse. I'Anson was surveyor to this company for many years, and also to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, for which he designed the new museum and library. Among his private commissions may be noted Fetcham Park, Leatherhead, and among ecclesiastical works the restorations of the Dutch Church in Austin Friars and of St. Mary Abchurch. I'Anson was elected a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1840, and was chosen president in 1886. He contributed numerous papers to the 'Transactions' of the institute. He was also a fellow of the Geological Society, and in 1886 became president of the Surveyors' Institution. He was a frequent traveller on the continent, and in 1867 visited Russia. In many of his numerous duties as surveyor, and in some of his architectural works, notably the new Corn Exchange in Mark Lane, he was assisted by his eldest son, Edward Blakeway I'Anson. I'Anson died unexpectedly 30 Jan. 1888, and was buried at Headley in Hampshire. A portrait of him will be found in the 'Builder,' xxix. 1006.
[Builder, 4 Feb. 1888; British Architect, 3 Feb. 1888; Athenæum, 11 Feb. 1888; Robinson's Reg. of Merchant Taylors' School, ii. 214.]