Ewan Christian

Born in London of Manx stock, Christian devoted much of his life to ecclesiastical architecture.  Following an early pupillage with Matthew Habershon and time in the office of Norfolk County Surveyor, John Brown of Norwich, Christian completed his training with William Railton who, from 1838 to 1840, was architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. In the year Railton broke with the Commissioners, Christian set up in practice. An early consultancy with the diocese of Lichfield led to his appointment, in 1850, to Railton's former post with the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. He was said to travel about 27,000 miles every year, doing an average of six church restorations per annum, along with many new churches.  His restorations included  Carlisle Cathedral and Southwell Minster. In his presidential years he did four churches, including St Diomis, Fulham, 13 restorations, two houses and a bank. Unlike his predecessors in the chair, Christian designed his best‑known building in the years which followed his presidency: it was also one of his most uncharacteristic ‑ the National Portrait Gallery in London (1890).

Though a Goth, Christian refutes the popular but mistaken image of the Gothic Revivalist as Tractarian or Angle‑Catholic. He had an upright Victorian's hatred of shoddiness which was as clearly expressed in his architecture as it was in his attitude towards the RIBA of which he was President in 1884-1886. In his presidential address, on the occasion of the Institute's 50th year, he called for the putting aside of all petty jealousies, and implored his colleagues to combine, "not for mere personal advantage, but in the truest and most liberal sense for the advancement of our art." [RIBA Journal May 1984]

Reference        RIBA Journal May 1984
Reference        Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects Vol II Third Series 1895  page 331-334]   
Reference        Anon: Ewan Christian Architect. 1896 page 68
Reference        Journal of RIBA Third Series vol 18 1911 pages 711-730 - with list of works
Reference        Martin Cherry The callous Mr Christian’: the making and unmaking of a professional reputation. Seven Church Architects 1830-1930 Ecclesiology Today issue 42 June 2010 page 49