Background
Belcher was born in Southwark on 10 July 1841, London. His father (1816–1890) of the same name was an established architect. They had previously lived nearby at 3 Montague Terrace (now 8 Brockham Street), where Belcher was born in 1841.
The son was articled with his father, spending two years in France from 1862, where he studied contemporary architecture.
In 1865, he was made a partner with his father, who retired in 1875.
Career
They lived at 60 Trinity Church Square from 1849-1852. His first work to be built was in the City of London, the 1865 Royal Insurance building in a French Renaissance style (razed 1913). In 1890, he designed the hall of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, which was one of the first Neo-baroque buildings in London.
lieutenant featured extensive sculptural work by Sir Hamo Thornycroft, Harry Bates and others, consisting of several high-relief panels as well as stand-alone statues.
In 1900, again with Joass, he designed Electra House, in the City. Belcher"s major commissions outside London include Colchester Town Hall 1898-1902 and the Ashton Memorial, designed and built 1906-1909 in Lancaster.
Both of these are in the Baroque style, typical of the lavish creations of the Edwardian era. Other works include: Redholm, Champion Hill, Dulwich 1885 (for himself).
Birmingham Daily Post Building, Fleet Street, London 1902.
Guildown Grange, Guildford, Surrey 1902. Tapeley Park, Devon, reconstruction 1902. Cornbury Park, Oxfordshire, extension, 1902-1903.
Royal London Friendly Society, Finsbury Square, London, 1904-1905.
Royal Insurance, Saint James"s Street & Piccadilly, London, 1907-1909. Holy Trinity, Kingsway, London 1910.
Royal Society of Medicine, Henrietta Street, London, 1910. Headquarters of the Royal Zoological Society, Regent"s Park, London, 1910.
Tatmore Place, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, 1910.
During his time as president he was asked to judge the competition for the design of Hove"s new public library, which had attracted 71 entrants. From a shortlist of ten he chose the design of Percy Robinson and West. Alban Jones. Belcher was elected Royal Academician in 1909.
He published Essentials in Architecture: An Analysis of the Principles & Qualities to be Looked for in Architecture.
He died at Champion Hill, Dulwich on 8 November 1913 and is buried at West Norwood Cemetery.
Membership
Russia, Belgium, Germany, Spain and the United States elected him a member of their several architectural societies.