Architect. He received world-wide notoriety as a British architect in the late 19th and early 20th century. He used sculpture in his designs giving a task for experienced sculptors as well as talented but novice ones. His style was called Edwardian Baroque. Many of his beautiful buildings can only be viewed in drawings or photographs as his works were destroyed by bombing from wars, decay of time, or demolished to build more modern structures. In 1907, he was awarded the Royal Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects, which is given for one's lifetime of work and was personally approved by His Majesty King George VI. The oldest of ten children and named after his father, John Belcher followed in his father's successful career as an architect, first as apprentice with his father and then a partner before his father's retirement in 1875. Besides receiving training from his father, he traveled to Paris, France and the countryside of Germany studying. In 1865, he designed his first building, the Royal Insurance Building, which was in French Renaissance Style. Over the years, he had several partners including James W. James from 1875 to 1885; Beresford Pite from 1885 to 1897; and John James Joass, who started employment in 1897, was partner from 1905 until Belcher's death in 1913, and kept the firm after Belcher's death. He was a founder of the Art Worker's Guild. He also mentored several young architects including W. Curtis Green, who would receive the Royal Gold Medal of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1942. Belcher was the chief architect for the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition at White City. He was elected to the Royal Academician in 1909. Belgium Germany, Russia, Spain, and the United States elected him a member of their architectural societies. Besides being an architect, he was an author and musician. In 1907 he published "Essential in Architecture: An Analysis of the Principles and Qualities to be Looked for in Architecture". He was an active member of the Catholic Apostolic Church and wrote "The History of Ecclesiastical Movement" in 1872 and "A Report on the Position of Organs in Churches" in 1892. He held the position of priest at the Southwark Church in Camberwell from 1903 until his death. He was also known to the public as an accomplished solo bass singer, cello player, and conductor.