Charles Lanyon was a civil engineer and architect who designed some of Belfast’s most iconic buildings.

Born at Eastbourne, Sussex, in 1813, Lanyon came to Ireland as part of his apprenticeship as a civil engineer. In 1835, he moved to Belfast to take up the post of County Surveyor for Antrim and resided in the city for almost fifty years.

Lanyon designed many of Belfast’s most recognisable buildings including Belfast Castle, the main building of Queen’s College (now Queen’s University Belfast), Crumlin Road Gaol and Courthouse, Custom House, the Linen Hall Library and the Palm House at Belfast Botanic Gardens. In addition to his architectural designs Lanyon planned and supervised the construction of Belfast’s Queen’s Bridge and Ormeau Bridge as well as many public roads in the north of Ireland, including the scenic Antrim Coast Road. In recognition of his work Lanyon was elected as President of the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland in 1862.

He was elected as Conservative MP for Belfast, serving from 1866 to 1868, acted as High Sheriff of County Antrim during 1876, and was knighted in 1878.

Lanyon died on 31 May 1889 at his Whiteabbey residence.