Basic Biographical Details Name: | Thomas Graham Abercrombie | Designation: | | Born: | 1862 | Died: | 16 February 1926 | Bio Notes: | Thomas Graham Abercrombie was born in Paisley, the son of a well-connected banker, William Abercrombie, who was of the family of Abercrombie of Tullibody, Clackmannan and his wife Robina Andrews Graham. He was articled to John Hutchison of Glasgow, an architect with Paisley connections, in 1876 and at the end of the apprenticeship he emigrated to the USA, location not known. By 19 May 1886 he had returned to Paisley and set up practice with £19 10s advanced by his father. The first year he is said to have had little or no work but in 1887 he took on an assistant, his brother-in-law Robert S Symington who became a partner in 1888. In that year the practice won a competition for Greenlaw Church, Paisley, but in July the following year Symington emigrated to the USA as manager of Clark's Thread Mills at Newark. The Greenlaw church design was modelled on Burnet's Barony Church and in or about 1890 Abercrombie took on as his chief assistant William Kerr (1866-1940) from the office of Burnet Son and Campbell, the work of the practice taking on a still more Burnetian character with the Clark Memorial Church, Largs (1892) which in several respects derives from Burnet's competition design for the Coats Memorial Church in Paisley.
Kerr was not invited to become a partner in the practice and in 1902 he left to become a partner in the practice of John Melvin and Son at Alloa. Thereafter Abercrombie continued with well-selected assistants until 1923 when he took into partnership James Steel Maitland (1887-1982), a pupil of Leiper who had worked for Brown and Vallance in Montreal. The partnership was brief as Abercrombie died suddenly at his home, Redholme, Castlehead, on 16 February 1926, Maitland continuing the practice alone thereafter under the existing name of Abercrombie & Maitland.
Abercrombie developed close links with the Coats, Clark and Stewart families and was an enthusiastic volunteer, first in the 2nd Renfrewshire Rifles and then in the Argyll and Southern Highlanders, reaching the rank of Captain. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Redholme, Castlehead, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Private | | 1926 | | | 97, High Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | 1886 | 1893 | | | 13, Gilmour Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | 1893 | 1900 | | | 1, County Place, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | 1900 | 1926 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1887 | Greenlaw Free Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Successful competition design, modelled on Burnet's Barony Church - in collaboration with Robert S Symington prior to partnership | | 1888 | 25-26 Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1889 | 67 Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1889 | Cricket pavilion, Meikleriggs | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | Redholme | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Original building - listed as 'cottage, Castlehead' in Paisley Dean of Guild, but likely to be same building | | 1889 | Tenement, 10 Broomlands | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Abbey Poorhouse | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition of hospital block, and alterations | | 1890 | Burgh Sawmills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1890 | Cottage and byre, Lylesland | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | House, Meikleriggs | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations | | 1890 | Thornly Park House | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | UP Church | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1891 | 18 Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1891 | Broadlie House | Dalry | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Conservatory, Meikleriggs | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | House and outhouses, Hawkhead Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | House, Meikleriggs | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | John Neilson Endowment School and entrance lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Lavatories | | 1891 | Original Secession Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Roneil | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1891 | Tenements, Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Villa | Castlehead | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1891 | Villa, Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | After 1891 | Paisley County Buildings (Sheriff Court), Meeting Room and Offices | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions (7 northern bays) in Love Street | | 1892 | 102 George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1892 | Abbey Hospital, mortuary | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | Beaconsfield Club, New Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1892 | Curlinghall | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Minor alterations | | 1892 | Lawn Street Mission Hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations | | c. 1892 | Public School | Largs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1893 | Arthur Allison Memorial Hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1893 | Bakery, High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1893 | Byre, Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1893 | Woodside | Giffnock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions to stables | | 1893 | Works, 4 Bridge Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1894 | Beaconsfield Club, New Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Wall and railings | | 1894 | Premises in Gordon's Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1894 | Royal Alexandra Infirmary | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1894 | Villa for John Marshall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Additions to stables | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for additions dated | | 1895 | Industrial School | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for addition dated | | 1895 | Middle Church hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1895 | Paisley Grammar School and William Barbour Academy | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1895 | Smithy, Moss Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1895 | Thorsley Park Farm Steading, shed | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1896 | Cottage | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Drill Hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With Kerr as assistant | | 1896 | Duntrune | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1896 | House for Alexander Paterson | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | John Neilson Endowment School and entrance lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1896 | Netherlynn | Dalry | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Paisley Technical School | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job. With William Kerr as assistant | | 1896 | Paisley Theatre | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1896 | Premises, Lady Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Brick gable | | 1896 | Rockfield | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1896 | Villa | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | 26 Broomlands | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations to chimney | | 1897 | House, Main Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Peter Brough Nursing Home | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1897 | Whiteleigh | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1898 | Belmont | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Extension. With William Kerr as assistant | | 1898 | Burgh Sawmills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1898 | Gleniffer Laundry and Bath House | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant- addition of Bath House | | 1898 | Redholme | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alteration and additions dated | | 1898 | Tenement, Hawkhead Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1898 | Welfare Offices, Back Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1899 | Belmont | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for outhouse dated | | 1899 | Coats Girls Club | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1899 | Mrs Archibald Coats Memorial Home | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1899 | Offices, Maxwellton Road and Ferguslie | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1899 | Roneil | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for additions dated | | 1899 | Shop, New Street / High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1899 | Stanely Dyeworks, offices | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1899 | Thornly Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1899 | Warehouse, Smithhills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for addition dated | | 1900 | Double Villa, Corsebar Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Ferguslie Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1900 | George Hotel | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1900 | Industrial School | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alteration to wall | | 1900 | Premises of the Scotch Girls' Friendly Society, off New Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Stables and coachhouse, Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1900 | Tenement, 18 Williamsburgh | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | c. 1900 | Baptist Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | c. 1900 | Inverkar | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Crosbie | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1901 | EU Congregational Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and restoration | | 1901 | New Street Congregational Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Restoration | | 1901 | Royal Starch Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Holmhurst | Thornly Park, Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Blackhall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Braids Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1902 | House, Meikleriggs | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Riccartsbar Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1902 | Houses on Riccartsbar Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Huntershill House | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | With William Kerr as assistant | | 1902 | Redholme | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Observatory | | 1902 | Royal Alexandra Infirmary | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Wall | | 1902 | Tenement, Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Tenements, Orchard Street and Stevenson Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Woodside House and Lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations on engine house | | 1903 | Burgh Sawmills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1903 | House, Blackhall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for addition dated | | 1903 | Paisley Theatre | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1903 | Roneil | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations on wall and gateway | | 1903 | Tenement, 43 Causeyside Street and 1 Johnston Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Tenement, Causeyside Street and Johnston Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Union Bank | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1904 | 4 West Buchanan Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1904 | Greenhill Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | House, Riccartsbar Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Incurables Home | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for verandah dated | | 1904 | Martyrs Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations and additions dated | | 1904 | Paisley Abbey | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Pulpit | | 1904 | Paisley Grammar School and William Barbour Academy | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Gymnasium | | 1904 | Paisley Technological School, William Barbour Technological Wing | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Tenements, Causeyside / Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Union Bank | Kilmarnock | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1904 | Victoria School | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Gymnasium | | 1904 | William Barbour Infant School | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Works, Christie Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Young Men's Christian Association | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Won competition | | 1905 | Greenlaw Free Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1905 | House, Sunnyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Houses on Riccartsbar Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | North Brediland Farm | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1905 | St Barnabas Episcopal Church Hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Tenement, Causeyside / Stevenson Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Tenements, Causeyside Street / Orchard Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Wellmeadow Bowling Club pavilion | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | c. 1905 | The Gables, Thornly Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | 'Possibly' (HS) | | 1906 | Greenhill Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1906 | Premises, William Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1906 | Roneil | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations | | 1906 | Shops, Moss Street and Dyers Wynd | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1906 | Tenement and joiner's shop | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1906 | Tenements, George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1906 | Tenements, George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Episcopal Chapel | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1908 | The Mound | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition to motor house | | 1909 | Burgh Sawmills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Sheds | | 1909 | Cartvale Chemical Company, New Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1909 | Coats Memorial Hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Renfrew District Lunatic Asylum | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Main building(s) | | 1909 | Roneil | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition to forcing house | | 1909(?) | St Columba's Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Rebuilding | | 1910 | Rozelle | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | The Bird in the Hand | Quarrelton, Johnstone | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Union Bank | Renfrew | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1910 or 1911 | Nethercommon Carpet Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions, cost £2,500 | | 1911 | Cottages for workmen at the Brown & Polson Factory | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1911 | Highfield | Thornly Park, Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1912 | High Church halls | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1912 | Offices, Scotscraig | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1912 | Riccartsbar Asylum | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1912 | Seedhill Tannery | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition | | 1912 | Stables, Gordon's Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition to stables | | 1913 | Art Gallery | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1913 | Burgh Sawmills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Offices | | 1913 | Paisley Library and Museum | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1913 | Royal Starch Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Institute | | 1913 | Wallneuk Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1914 | John Neilson Endowment School and entrance lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1914 | Orange Lodge Hall, Castle Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1914 | Priory Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations | | 1914 | Renfrew District Lunatic Asylum | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Addition of two further villas and nurses' home | | 1914 | Union Bank | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1915 | Greenhill Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1915 | Nodesdale House | Largs (near) | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Smoking room | | 1917 | Corsehill, Sunnyside, garage | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1918 | 12 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1918 | Golden Shred Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Lavatories | | 1918 | North Brediland Farm | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1918 | Saucel Iron Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | WCs | | 1921 | Shop premises | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1921 | Victory Baths | Renfrew | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | c. 1922 | Royal Alexandra Infirmary | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions and nurses home | | 1924 | House at Potterhill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1924 | Offices, St James Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1924 | Shops and warehouse for Arnotts | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Davis, Michael C | 1991 | The Castles and Mansions of Ayrshire | | Ardrishaig, Argyll: privately published | Broadlie House, Curlinghall, Noddsdale | | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | | | MacLean, Allan | 1986 | Abercrombie and Maitland Architects 1886-1963 | | B. Arch University of Strathclyde | Dissertation | | MacLean, Allan | 1986 | Thomas Graham Abercrombie: eclectic patterns in Paisley | 43, Summer | Charles Rennie Mackintosh Newsletter | p5-7 | | Walker, Frank Arneil | 1986 | South Clyde Estuary: An Illustrated Architectural Guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew | | | p14, p15, p17, p21, p22, p23, p24, p29, p30, p32, p33, p34, p35, p58, p98, p99 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette | 4 December 1897 | | | Obituary of J D Symington | | Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette | 20 February 1926 | | | | | Paisley Daily Express | 17 February 1926 | | | Obituary |
|