Edward I'Anson

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.^[5] This brought him into repute, and obtained for him the chief practice as architect in the City.^[1]

I'Anson developed a career as a pioneering designer of purpose-built commercial buildings in the City.^[2] Those executed by him in the Italian style, such as the buildings of the British and Foreign Bible Society^[1] at 146 Queen Victoria Street (1866–8)^[6] were the most successful. His designs in the Neo-Gothic style included the school of the Merchant Taylors' Company at the Charterhouse. I'Anson was surveyor to the Merchant Taylors for many years, and also to St. Bartholomew's Hospital, for which he designed a new museum and library.^[1] He was responsible for the remodelling of Fetcham Park,^[7] Leatherhead, and 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.^[1]

I'Anson died unexpectedly on 30 January 1888, and was buried at All Saints church in Headley, East Hampshire.^[4] A portrait of him will be found in the Builder, xxix. 1006.^[1] Edward Blakeway I'Anson continued the practice at St Lawrence Pountney Hill.^[2]

Attribution

 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: "I'Anson, Edward". Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co. 1885–1900.