Benjamin Ferrey: Unicorn

Benjamin Ferrey (1810-1880) is remembered today as the childhood friend and biographer of A.W.N. Pugin, but that represents only one episode in a fascinating career spanning some of the most eventful decades in architectural history. After showing early promise as a draughtsman, Ferrey was sent to train in London under Pugin’s father. There he found himself at the forefront of a newly flourishing Gothic Revival. From the Pugin school, a long and varied career followed during which Ferrey worked on a series of major churches, houses, and public buildings including the National Gallery and Bagshot Park. After the death of his estranged childhood friend, Ferrey set about recording the life of Pugin and thus became his first biographer. However, until now Ferrey has suffered the fate of many biographers and faded into relative obscurity.