Edward I'Anson

Edward I'Anson (1812–1888) was an English architect who was president of both the Royal Institute of British Architects and the Surveyors' Institution. He was a leading designer of commercial buildings in the City of London.

Born in St. Laurence Pountney Hill in the City of London on 25 July 1812, he was the eldest son of the surveyor and architect Edward P I'Anson (1775-1853). He was educated at the Merchant Taylors' School and at the College of Henri IV in France, and articled to his father at an early age. 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.

In 1823 the I'Anson family bought 9, St Laurence Pountney Lane, the house neighbouring their own. The firm of Edward I'Anson and Sons operated from there from 1850. I'Anson made various changes to the property, including a new roof, and some Venetian-inspired windows. He also acquired the adjoining disused churchyard for use as a garden. In 1861 I'Anson and his wife, Catherine Blakeway, purchased land at Grayshott in Surrey, a village then part of Headley. The family provided a site for the National School established there in 1871, and maintained a close connection to the area. I'Anson's son Edward Blakeway made funds available for the construction of the church, and many of his family are buried and memorialised in its churchyard.

His first important building in the City was the Royal Exchange Buildings, designed for Sir Francis Graham Moon in 1837. There he made use of concrete for the internal works, an early example of this modern construction method that had previously only been used in experimental or minor projects. This brought him into repute, and obtained for him the chief practice as architect in the City.

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