Benjamin Ferrey (1810 - 1880)

RA Collection: People and Organisations

Benjamin Ferrey FSA FRIBA (1810–1880) was an English architect who worked mostly in the Gothic Revival.

He studied in London under Augustus Charles Pugin (1769-1832) and alongside Pugin’s son Augustus Welby Northmore Pugin. (1769-1832).

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. The business grew rapidly and was very successful, with Ferrey designing and restoring or rebuilding many Church of England parish churches.

Charles Eastlake in his History of the Gothic Revival (1872) 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”. (pp.202).

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.