 He was Architect to the Ecclesiastical Commissioners from 1851 to 1895.Christian was elected A RIBA in 1840, FRIBA in 1850, RIBA President 1884–86 and was awarded the Royal Gold Medal in 1887.Ewan Christian is mostly remembered today for his design of the National Portrait Gallery (1890–95) in St Martin's Place, London, situated just north of Trafalgar Square.