Architecture Of Sharpe, Paley And Austin, The

One of England's greatest Victorian architectural practices was based, not in London, but in the relatively quiet town of Lancaster. For just over a century the leading practice in the area was that of Sharpe, Paley and Austin. It was founded, just at the start of the Victorian Gothic Revival, by the remarkable, multi-talented Edmund Sharpe - architect, engineer, businessman, politician and winner of the Royal Institute of British Architect's Royal Gold Medal for his work in architectural history. E G Paley developed the practice and took on in 1867 the man who elevated it to greatness - Hubert Austin, described as an architect of genius by Pevsner. The firm established a national reputation, especially for its many fine churches, ranging from great urban masterpieces to delightful country ones, which are imbued with the spirit of the Arts & Crafts movement.