Basic Biographical Details | Name: | George Murray Alexander | | Designation: | | | Born: | 25 October 1851 | | Died: | 19 May 1904 | | Bio Notes: | George Murray Alexander was born in October 1851, the son of George Alexander of Causewayside, Grange, to whom he was articled to from July 1868 until 1873 and his wife Ann Murray. He then spent a year in the office of J & G H Geddes of Edinburgh as an articled pupil of civil engineering from February 1873 to February 1874, before working as an architect and engineer to Shotts Iron Company for three months. He travelled in North America from 1874 to 1877 and worked for two contractors.
He returned to Edinburgh in 1877 to commence independent practice, and moved to South Africa in 1879 with his wife Louisa Hatch. He was admitted FRIBA on 1 November 1886, proposed by Alfred Waterhouse and James Brooks of London and Sydney Stent of the Public Works Department, Cape of Good Hope.
Alexander died on 19 May 1904.
Michale Krohn (great grandson) writes, 2010: 'My father told me the reason for George Murray Alexander emigrating to South Africa was because he suffered from Asthma, and his doctor recommended he move to a drier climate. This continues to puzzle me as Cape Town has awful wet winters. That said, Muizenberg has a far better climate then the suburbs on the other side of Table Mountain. It can be a bright sunny day in Muizenberg and be raining cats and dogs in Constantia.' | Private and Business Addresses| The following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1877 | 1879 | | | Cape of Good Hope Bank Chambers, Cape Town, South Africa | Private | 1886 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers| The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | George Alexander | 1868 | 1876 | Apprentice | | | J & G H Geddes | February 1873 | February 1874 | Apprentice | |
RIBARIBA Proposers| The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | James Brooks | 1 November 1886 | for Fellowship | | Sydney Stent | 1 November 1886 | for Fellowship | | Alfred Waterhouse | 1 November 1886 | for Fellowship |
RIBA Proposals| This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | John Parker | 3 February 1902 | for Fellowship |
ReferencesBibliographic References| The following books contain references to this : | | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | Biographical information and additional references |
Periodical References| The following periodicals contain references to this : | | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA Journal | 10 November 1906 | v14 | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | Obituary |
Archive References| The following archives hold material relating to this : | | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | RIBA Biographical Files | | | | Courtesy of Michael Krohn, direct descendant | Information sent via 'Contact Us' on website | | Sent July 2010 | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v8 p19 (microfiche 100/F2) |
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