Hugh Hutton Stannus was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England on 21 March 1840. After studying under the architect Henry Dent Lomas (1818-1901) at Sheffield School of Art, he was apprenticed to the Sheffield foundry Hoole & Co. where he learnt art metal casting. While working at Hoole he met the sculptor Alfred Stevens (1817-1875) and subsequently became his pupil, assisting him in the creation of the monument to the Duke of Wellington at St. Paul's Cathedral in London.
In the early 1870s he studied architecture at the Royal Academy Schools in London. In 1873 he passed the voluntary examination of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and was awarded the Ashpitel Prize. The following year he was elected an Associate (ARIBA) later that year. In 1877 his paper 'The Decorative Treatment of Constructive Ironwork' was awarded a silver medal by the RIBA
He commenced independent practice as an architect in London in 1879 and in 1887 was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA).
Stannus's architectural work was never extensive and consisted mainly of restorations, additions and the decorative alterations to existing buildings. This included his own house, The Cottage in Hazel Grove, Hindhead, Surrey
From the 1880s onwards much of his time was involved in teaching. He taught or lectured at the Royal College of Art, University College, London, the National Art Training School in South Kensington, the Architectural Association in London, and at Manchester School of Art.
He was the author of several books on decorative art and architecture. He exhibited little. Some of his work as an art metalworker was shown at the International Exhibition in London in 1862 and he exhibited once at the Royal Academy in London in 1886. He was a founding member of the Art Workers Guild in 1884.
He died at his home, The Cottage, Hindhead in Hazel Grove, Surrey, on 18 August 1908.
A biographical file on Hugh Hutton Stanton is available on request at the Enquiry Desk, Royal Institute of British Architects Library, London
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
Spiers, R. P. ‘The late Hugh Stannus’. RIBA Journal vol. 15, 1908 pp. 587-588
‘Obituary’. The Athenaaeum 29 August p. 249
‘Obituary’. Architectural Review vol. 24, September 1908 p. 107
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 95, 29 August 1908 p. 239