John Wallen

John Wallen (1785–1865) was a 19th-century British architect and surveyor. He was the principal quantity surveyor in the City of London during the 1830s. Many of his former students, such as Edward I'Anson went on to have notable careers.

Wallen was born in St Saviour parish, London. He was the older brother of William Wallen (1790-1873) who also became a well known surveyor. In 1807, as a minor, John married Maria Adams with the consent of his father, William Wallen. John and Maria had two sons and four daughters. Maria died in 1827.

On July 3, 1830, at Deptford St Paul, John married Harriet Edwards (1808–1852). Harriet was the sister-in-law of John's former pupil, Edward Jones. John and Harriet had two sons and four daughters. John Wallen died at 80 years of age, on February 13, 1865, at 14 Bedford Road, .

Wallen was a pupil of Daniel Asher Alexander (1768–1846), architect and engineer. It is probable that Alexander's specialisation in the design of large industrial buildings and warehouses influenced Wallen's career. While Wallen produced only a few prominent buildings, his practice not only undertook projects requiring huge budgets but also offered an exceptional standard of training for his pupils. From about 1812 to 1826, Wallen was in partnership with George Ferry . From 1812 to 1819, 'Ferry and Wallen, Surveyors', operated from 5 Spital Square and also No. 17 (now No. 13) Elder Street. In 1817, 'Wallen and Ferry, Surveyors and Architects' appeared at No. 22 Folgate Street.

In 1813, Ferry and Wallen produced a report for the repair of Norton Folgate workhouse and in 1818, they built Myddelton House, Bulls Cross, Enfield for Henry Carrington Bowles the last Governor of the New River Company.

Myddleton House

In 1817, Wallen joined other surveyors and builders to give opinion to the House of Commons that "the practice of employing children to climb and sweep chimneys should be abolished…" They also asserted that mechanical devices should be used instead of children.

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