Edward Schroder Prior, architect was born at Croom's Hill, Greenwich, Kent. He was educated at Caius College, Cambridge, and also travelled through Europe for a short period whilst he worked for Norman Shaw (1874-79). Prior established a small practice that largely dealt with domestic and ecclesiastical commissions. He built a number of houses including The Barn (1895-97), Exmouth, Devon, and Home Place, Holt, Norfolk (1903-05).
Prior is most famous for his authorship of A History of Gothic Art in England (1900), which argued for the English origins of Gothic architecture, based on regional differences of materials and craft techniques. Prior was appointed Slade professor of fine art at Cambridge University (1912-32) and fellow of Caius College (1912-20). He died of cancer at Westgate, Chichester, on the 19th August 1932.