Pearson, born in Brussels of a Durham family, was a pupil of Ignatius Bonomi in Durham and Anthony Salvin (qq.v.). he later studied in London and when he began his independent practice in 1843, he was immediately commissioned to build small churches in the south of England; despite working on a number of houses, he remained a church architect for the rest of his life. His churches of the 1870-80s are regarded as being among the finest in England, indeed in Europe.
Pearson aimed to build in a pure thirteenth century gothic style and succeeded almost too well. In the middle ages, changes in style because of the time taken to build, among other factors, meant that most churches have some pleasant irregularity about them which gives humanity and life to the design. Pearson's are a little on the cold side, handsome and noble though they are. Pearson was employed in the restoration of many of the great cathedrals of England and became surveyor to Westminster Abbey. In 1879 he began work on the new Cathedral at Truro in Cornwall, which was finished by his son in 1910. Sir John Betjeman in his television series on Australia says that St John's Cathedral in Brisbane is Pearson's last and best building; here again his design was carried out by his son Frank.
In Northumberland, we can see his church at Cullercoats, St George of 1884. It is said to be the only church in the North, apart from Durham cathedral, to be vaulted in stone throughout - a Pearson speciality. Stately and black at the end of the sea-front, its tall spire makes a fine accent on the coast.