John Loughborough PearsonRA (5 July 1817 – 11 December 1897) was a British Gothic Revival architect renowned for his work on churches and cathedrals. Pearson revived and practised largely the art of vaulting, and acquired in it a proficiency unrivalled in his generation. He worked on at least 210 ecclesiastical buildings in England alone in a career spanning 54 years.[1]
Pearson was born in Brussels on 5 July 1817.[2] He was the son of William Pearson, etcher, of Durham, and was brought up there. At the age of fourteen, he was articled to Ignatius Bonomi, architect, of Durham, whose clergy clientele helped stimulate Pearson's long association with religious architecture, particularly of the Gothic style.
From the erection of his first church at Ellerker, in Yorkshire, in 1843, to that of St Peter's, Vauxhall, in 1864, his buildings are geometrical in manner and exhibit a close adherence to precedent, but elegance of proportion and refinement of detail lift them out of the commonplace of mere imitation. Holy Trinity, Westminster (1848), and St Mary's, Dalton Holme (1858), are notable examples of this phase.
Pearson began his career drawing purely on English medieval prototypes, but increasingly incorporated ideas from abroad: Charles Locke Eastlake described Pearson's Christchurch at Appleton-le-Moors in North Yorkshire as "modelled on the earliest and severest type of French Gothic, with an admixture of details almost Byzantine in character."[3]
Pearson is best known for Truro Cathedral (1880), the first Anglican cathedral to be built in England since 1697. It has a special interest in its apt incorporation of the south aisle of the ancient church. Pearson's conservative spirit fitted him for the repair of ancient buildings, and among cathedrals and other historic buildings placed under his care were Lincoln, Chichester, Peterborough, Bristol and Exeter cathedrals, St George's Chapel, Windsor, Westminster Hall, and Westminster Abbey, in the surveyorship of which he succeeded Sir George Gilbert Scott. He re-faced the north transept of Westminster Abbey, except for the porches (which are the work of Scott), and also designed the vigorous organ cases. In his handling of ancient buildings he was repeatedly opposed by the anti-restorers of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (as in the case of the west front of Peterborough Cathedral in 1896), but he generally proved the soundness of his judgment by his executed work.
While Truro Cathedral is considered his British masterpiece there are many who consider St John's Cathedral in Brisbane, Australia, his finest work. St John's was initially designed by Pearson and then by his son Frank following his father's death in 1897. The cathedral was constructed between 1906 and 2009 and is a study in contrast to Truro. While lacking some of the decorative detail found at Truro and having shorter towers, the cathedral also departs from the conventional Early English style Neo-Gothic Pearson used extensively at Truro. St John's employs a broad mix of styles: some early English Gothic (lancet windows and bell shaped capitals in the piers); early French Gothic (the pyramidal spires of the towers, and the internal sexpartite vault of the ceiling, also used at Truro); and Spanish Gothic used extensively in the internal design of the nave and sanctuary. The form of Spanish Gothic used at St John's is based on Barcelona Cathedral. The Barcelona influence can be seen in the nave which has two walls forming double aisles; the inner wall forming the nave arcade which has a wide panel below the triforium to help keep out the subtropical sun. But the Spanish precedent can best been seen in the cathedral's large apsidal sanctuary (wholly different from the conventional English square-end at Truro) whose tall pillars reach from ground floor to the arches immediately below the vault, producing an effect of extraordinary complexity and beauty.[6]
In general design he first aimed at form, embracing both proportion and contour; and his work may be recognized by accurate scholarship coupled with harmonious detail. Its keynotes are cautiousness and refinement rather than boldness.
Recognitionedit
He was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1874, becoming a full member in 1880. He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and a fellow and member of the Council of the Royal Institute of British Architects.
Personal lifeedit
In 1862, Pearson married Jemima Christian, a cousin of his friend Ewan Christian, a Manxman and architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners. Their son Frank Loughborough Pearson (1864–1947) was born two years later, but to Pearson's great sorrow Jemima died on 25 March 1865 of typhoid fever. Frank followed in his father's footsteps completing much of his work before embarking on his own original designs.
Pearson is buried in the nave of Westminster Abbey, where his grave is marked by the appropriate motto Sustinuit et abstinuit.
Legacyedit
In total, 198 churches created or worked on by Pearson are now listed buildings.[1] In 2016, Historic England commissioned a selective assessment of the significance of The Church and Chapel Interiors of John Loughborough Pearson to help those caring for the buildings to understand the importance of interior fixtures and fittings—particularly movable furniture, which is not covered by listing but a key part of the original designs.[1]
This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Pearson, John Loughborough". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 21 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
^ abcClare Howard, Simon Taylor (4 July 2017). "The Church and Chapel Interiors of John Loughborough Pearson: A Selective Assessment of their Significance Historic England Research Report: 26/2016". research.historicengland.org.uk. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
^"John Loughborough Pearson, R.A." Retrieved 1 June 2011.
^Eastlake, Charles Locke (1872). A History of the Gothic Revival. London: Longmans, Green & Co. pp. 303–4.
^"Bomb damage to St John the Evangelist, Red Lion Square, Camden, London: the vaults underneath a side chapel | RIBA". RIBApix. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
^Denzil Scrivens "John Loughborough Pearson RA and St John's Cathedral Brisbane: the Development of a Queensland Masterpiece" (published by St John's Cathedral, Brisbane 2017)
^Preston, Richard. (PDF). Southampton Local History Forum Journal. Southampton City Council. p. 6. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 January 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2012.
^"The Old Quarry Landscove". Domesday Reloaded. BBC. 1986. Retrieved 20 May 2012.
^Historic England. "Church of St Matthew (1108532)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
^Historic England. "CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL, Garton (1160977)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
^Historic England. "Church of the Holy Trinity, Wentworth (1192788)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
^Historic England. "Church of St. Margaret, Horsforth (1261804)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 27 March 2015.
^Historic England. "Catholic Apostolic Church and Church House, Non Civil Parish (1238911)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 January 2022.
External linksedit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Loughborough Pearson.
St Stephens, Bournemouth
Kirk Braddan, IOM and links to other JLP resources
St John's Cathedral, Brisbane
St Augustine's Kilburn 10 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine, London
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April 09, 2024
john, loughborough, pearson, other, people, named, john, pearson, john, pearson, disambiguation, july, 1817, december, 1897, british, gothic, revival, architect, renowned, work, churches, cathedrals, pearson, revived, practised, largely, vaulting, acquired, pr. For other people named John Pearson see John Pearson disambiguation John Loughborough Pearson RA 5 July 1817 11 December 1897 was a British Gothic Revival architect renowned for his work on churches and cathedrals Pearson revived and practised largely the art of vaulting and acquired in it a proficiency unrivalled in his generation He worked on at least 210 ecclesiastical buildings in England alone in a career spanning 54 years 1 John Loughborough PearsonPortrait by Walter William Ouless at the National Portrait Gallery London Born5 July 1817Brussels United Kingdom of the NetherlandsDied11 December 1897NationalityBritishOccupationArchitectAwardsRoyal Gold Medal 1880 BuildingsTruro CathedralSt John s CathedralProjectsSt Margaret s WestminsterBristol Cathedral Contents 1 Early life and education 2 Career 3 Cathedrals 4 Non ecclesiastical buildings 5 Recognition 6 Personal life 7 Legacy 8 Some notable buildings 8 1 Some of Pearson s other important works 9 Gallery 10 See also 11 References 12 External linksEarly life and education editPearson was born in Brussels on 5 July 1817 2 He was the son of William Pearson etcher of Durham and was brought up there At the age of fourteen he was articled to Ignatius Bonomi architect of Durham whose clergy clientele helped stimulate Pearson s long association with religious architecture particularly of the Gothic style Pearson moved to London where he became a pupil of Philip Hardwick 1792 1870 architect of the Euston Arch and Lincoln s Inn He lived in central London at 13 Mansfield Street where a blue plaque commemorates him He was awarded the RIBA Royal Gold Medal in 1880 Career editFrom the erection of his first church at Ellerker in Yorkshire in 1843 to that of St Peter s Vauxhall in 1864 his buildings are geometrical in manner and exhibit a close adherence to precedent but elegance of proportion and refinement of detail lift them out of the commonplace of mere imitation Holy Trinity Westminster 1848 and St Mary s Dalton Holme 1858 are notable examples of this phase Pearson began his career drawing purely on English medieval prototypes but increasingly incorporated ideas from abroad Charles Locke Eastlake described Pearson s Christchurch at Appleton le Moors in North Yorkshire as modelled on the earliest and severest type of French Gothic with an admixture of details almost Byzantine in character 3 nbsp St Mary s Dalton Holme East Yorkshire St Peter s Church Vauxhall 1864 was his first groined church and the first of a series of buildings which brought Pearson to the forefront among his contemporaries In these he applied the Early English style to modern needs and modern economy with unrivalled success St Augustine s Kilburn 1871 St John s Red Lion Square London 1874 destroyed by a parachute mine in 1941 4 St Alban s Conybere Street Birmingham 1880 St Michael s Croydon 1880 St John s Norwood 1881 St Stephen s Bournemouth 1889 and All Saints Church Hove 1889 are characteristic examples of his mature work He also did restoration work on smaller churches including St Edward s Church in Gloucestershire He was enlisted by Sir Tatton Sykes 5th Baronet to develop the first of what now are known as The Sykes churches near Sledmere Initially Pearson restored the Church of St Michael and All Angels Garton on the Wolds and the churches at Kirkburn and Bishop Wilton along with a new one at Hilton 5 Cathedrals editPearson is best known for Truro Cathedral 1880 the first Anglican cathedral to be built in England since 1697 It has a special interest in its apt incorporation of the south aisle of the ancient church Pearson s conservative spirit fitted him for the repair of ancient buildings and among cathedrals and other historic buildings placed under his care were Lincoln Chichester Peterborough Bristol and Exeter cathedrals St George s Chapel Windsor Westminster Hall and Westminster Abbey in the surveyorship of which he succeeded Sir George Gilbert Scott He re faced the north transept of Westminster Abbey except for the porches which are the work of Scott and also designed the vigorous organ cases In his handling of ancient buildings he was repeatedly opposed by the anti restorers of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings as in the case of the west front of Peterborough Cathedral in 1896 but he generally proved the soundness of his judgment by his executed work While Truro Cathedral is considered his British masterpiece there are many who consider St John s Cathedral in Brisbane Australia his finest work St John s was initially designed by Pearson and then by his son Frank following his father s death in 1897 The cathedral was constructed between 1906 and 2009 and is a study in contrast to Truro While lacking some of the decorative detail found at Truro and having shorter towers the cathedral also departs from the conventional Early English style Neo Gothic Pearson used extensively at Truro St John s employs a broad mix of styles some early English Gothic lancet windows and bell shaped capitals in the piers early French Gothic the pyramidal spires of the towers and the internal sexpartite vault of the ceiling also used at Truro and Spanish Gothic used extensively in the internal design of the nave and sanctuary The form of Spanish Gothic used at St John s is based on Barcelona Cathedral The Barcelona influence can be seen in the nave which has two walls forming double aisles the inner wall forming the nave arcade which has a wide panel below the triforium to help keep out the subtropical sun But the Spanish precedent can best been seen in the cathedral s large apsidal sanctuary wholly different from the conventional English square end at Truro whose tall pillars reach from ground floor to the arches immediately below the vault producing an effect of extraordinary complexity and beauty 6 Non ecclesiastical buildings editPearson s practice was not confined to church buildings Treberfydd 1850 Quar Wood 1858 Lechlade Manor an Elizabethan house 1873 Westwood House Sydenham in the French Renaissance style 1880 the Astor estate offices 1892 upon the Victoria Embankment London the remodelling of the interiors of Cliveden House 1893 and No 18 Carlton House Terrace 1894 with many parsonages show his aptitude for domestic architecture In general design he first aimed at form embracing both proportion and contour and his work may be recognized by accurate scholarship coupled with harmonious detail Its keynotes are cautiousness and refinement rather than boldness Recognition editHe was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy in 1874 becoming a full member in 1880 He was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a fellow and member of the Council of the Royal Institute of British Architects Personal life editIn 1862 Pearson married Jemima Christian a cousin of his friend Ewan Christian a Manxman and architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners Their son Frank Loughborough Pearson 1864 1947 was born two years later but to Pearson s great sorrow Jemima died on 25 March 1865 of typhoid fever Frank followed in his father s footsteps completing much of his work before embarking on his own original designs Pearson is buried in the nave of Westminster Abbey where his grave is marked by the appropriate motto Sustinuit et abstinuit Legacy editIn total 198 churches created or worked on by Pearson are now listed buildings 1 In 2016 Historic England commissioned a selective assessment of the significance of The Church and Chapel Interiors of John Loughborough Pearson to help those caring for the buildings to understand the importance of interior fixtures and fittings particularly movable furniture which is not covered by listing but a key part of the original designs 1 Some notable buildings editSt Augustine s Kilburn 1871 1880 the tower and spire completed 1897 98 St John the Evangelist Upper Norwood 1878 1887 Truro Cathedral 1879 1910 St Agnes and St Pancras church St Margaret s Westminster existing building Pearson added eastern and western porches Christ Church Appleton le Moors Yorkshire Bristol Cathedral existing building Pearson added the twin towers of the west front Wakefield Cathedral Pearson added a new east end after the church was raised to cathedral status completed 1903 05 by his son Frank St John s Cathedral Brisbane related to Truro Cathedral the design re worked by his son Frank and completed in 2009 Some of Pearson s other important works edit nbsp St Matthew s church Landscove South DevonNorth Ferriby Church of All Saints 1846 7 Stow Lincolnshire St Mary s Minster restoration 1850 St John s Church Acaster Selby 1850 Weybridge St James s 1853 St Matthew s church Landscove South Devon 1854 8 9 10 Church of St Michael and All Angels Garton on the Wolds restoration 1856 57 11 St Mary s Church Catherston Leweston 1857 58 12 St Peter s Church Vauxhall 1863 64 Freeland Oxfordshire St Mary s parish church parsonage and schools 1869 71 Kilburn St Peter s Home 1868 Wentworth Church of the Holy Trinity 1872 13 Kirk Braddan new church Isle of Man 1873 Horsforth Church of St Margaret 1874 14 Cullercoats St George s 1882 Chiswick St Michael s restoration 1882 Hove St Barnabas parish church 1882 1883 Great Yarmouth church restoration 1883 Liverpool St Agnes 1883 St Mary s Church Lastingham 1879 Silverhill East Sussex St Matthew s Church 1884 Woking Convalescent Home 1884 Headingley St Michael s church 1884 Torquay All Saints church 1884 Maidstone All Saints church restoration 1885 Shrewsbury Abbey 1886 Ayr Holy Trinity 1886 Thurstaston St Bartholomew s 1886 Hythe Kent St Leonard s Church restoration 1887 Oxford New College reredos completion 1889 Cambridge Old Schools University Library additions 1889 Cheswardine Shropshire St Swithun s rebuilding 1889 Church of St John the Evangelist Redhill 1889 St John Friern Barnet 1890 Cambridge Sidney Sussex College additions 1890 nbsp Fitzrovia Chapel Fitzrovia Chapel the old Middlesex Hospital chapel 1890 Bishopsgate St Helen s parish church restoration 1891 Catholic Apostolic Irvingite Church Maida Avenue Maida Hill 1891 3 15 St Paul s Church Walsall 1892 Barking All Hallows church restoration 1893 Cambridge Emmanuel College additions 1893 Ledbury St Michael s church restoration 1894 Malta Lady Rachel Hamilton Gordon Memorial Chapel 1893 1894 Two Temple Place London 1895 built as the Astor Estate Office St Theodore s Church Port Talbot 1895 Merthyr Tydfil St Tydfil s church 1895 Bordesley St Patrick s Church Bordesley 1896 demolished 1964 Daybrook St Paul s Church 1896 Nottingham St Bartholomew s Church completed by his son 1899 1902 Upper Norwood St John the Evangelist Consecrated in 1887 Gallery edit nbsp St Augustine s Kilburn nbsp Bristol Cathedral West front nbsp St Barnabas Church Hove nbsp St Matthew s Church Silverhill Hastings nbsp Truro cathedral from the north west nbsp St Stephen s Church Bournemouth The TowerSee also editList of new ecclesiastical buildings by J L Pearson List of ecclesiastical restorations and alterations by J L Pearson List of non ecclesiastical works by J L PearsonReferences edit nbsp This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain Chisholm Hugh ed 1911 Pearson John Loughborough Encyclopaedia Britannica Vol 21 11th ed Cambridge University Press a b c Clare Howard Simon Taylor 4 July 2017 The Church and Chapel Interiors of John Loughborough Pearson A Selective Assessment of their Significance Historic England Research Report 26 2016 research historicengland org uk Retrieved 23 April 2020 John Loughborough Pearson R A Retrieved 1 June 2011 Eastlake Charles Locke 1872 A History of the Gothic Revival London Longmans Green amp Co pp 303 4 Bomb damage to St John the Evangelist Red Lion Square Camden London the vaults underneath a side chapel RIBA RIBApix Retrieved 4 April 2019 Christopher Sykes The Big House Denzil Scrivens John Loughborough Pearson RA and St John s Cathedral Brisbane the Development of a Queensland Masterpiece published by St John s Cathedral Brisbane 2017 Historic England Church of All Saints North Ferriby 1347004 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 27 March 2015 Preston Richard William Hinves and Alfred Bedborough architects in nineteenth century Southampton PDF Southampton Local History Forum Journal Southampton City Council p 6 Archived from the original PDF on 27 January 2013 Retrieved 19 May 2012 The Old Quarry Landscove Domesday Reloaded BBC 1986 Retrieved 20 May 2012 Historic England Church of St Matthew 1108532 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 27 March 2015 Historic England CHURCH OF ST MICHAEL Garton 1160977 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 26 November 2018 Historic England 10 January 1984 PARISH CHURCH ST MARY Catherston Leweston 1213892 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 12 January 2021 Historic England Church of the Holy Trinity Wentworth 1192788 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 27 March 2015 Historic England Church of St Margaret Horsforth 1261804 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 27 March 2015 Historic England Catholic Apostolic Church and Church House Non Civil Parish 1238911 National Heritage List for England Retrieved 16 January 2022 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to John Loughborough Pearson St Stephens Bournemouth Kirk Braddan IOM and links to other JLP resources St John s Cathedral Brisbane St Augustine s Kilburn Archived 10 February 2008 at the Wayback Machine London The Bourne Archive Plan and Description of Lincoln Cathedral Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Loughborough Pearson amp oldid 1202210332, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
