Sir John Belcher was a late-19th century architect and a founder of the Art Workers' Guild. He was born 10 July 1841 in Southwark, London. In 1857 he was articled to his father, also John. He remained in the office of his father for most of his career, with the exception of a period spent in the office of Richard Bell. In 1865 his father took him on as partner. After 1870, his father retired, and John continued the practice alone. On 13 December 1879 he was admitted an an associate of the Royal Insititute of British Architects. He was made a Fellow on 20 March 1882. Later, from 1882 to 1897, he worked in partnership the architects James Walter James, with Arthur Beresford Pite. In 1900, he became an Associate of the Royal Academy and in 1905 he started work with John James Joass, a former assistant. In 1909 he made full Academician of the Royal Academy. He died in Camberwell, London on 8 November 1913. After his death his practice was carried on by Joass.