Benjamin Mountfort

Benjamin Mountfort
Mountfort around 1875
Born	Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort (1825-03-13)13 March 1825 Birmingham, England
Died	15 March 1898(1898-03-15) (aged 73) Christchurch, New Zealand
Resting place	Holy Trinity Avonside Cemetery
Occupation	Architect
Years active	1852–1897
Spouse	Emily Elizabeth Newman
Children	9
Parent(s)	Thomas Mountfort Susannah Mountfort
Buildings	Selected buildings

Benjamin Woolfield Mountfort (13 March 1825 – 15 March 1898) was an English emigrant to New Zealand, where he became one of the country's most prominent 19th-century architects. He was instrumental in shaping the city of Christchurch's unique architectural identity and culture, and was appointed the first official Provincial Architect of the developing province of Canterbury. Heavily influenced by the Anglo-Catholic philosophy behind early Victorian architecture, he is credited with importing the Gothic revival style to New Zealand. His Gothic designs constructed in both wood and stone in the province are considered unique to New Zealand. Today, he is considered the founding architect of the province of Canterbury.