Basic Biographical Details Name: | David Robertson | Designation: | | Born: | 1834 | Died: | 25 February 1925 | Bio Notes: | David Robertson was born in 1834, the son of D J Robertson, 12 Gilmore Place, Edinburgh. He was articled to David Cousin in 1850 and entered the Trustees' Academy (later the School of Design) on 10 April 1852 on his recommendation, remaining there until 12 July 1855. On completion of his apprenticeship he remained with Cousin for some years as an assistant before seeking wider experience in other offices, first in Liverpool and later back in Edinburgh. His last position as an employee was as chief assistant to John Lessels, whom he left in 1865 to commence practice on his own account, initially in Picardy Place, moving to 12 Queen Street in the 1870s.
He began exhibiting at the RSA in 1878 and was elected Associate in 1893. In 1883 he moved to 117 George Street and around 1890 to 4 Maitland Street, later 19 Shandwick Place. At some point he became architect in the East of Scotland for the United Presbyterian Church for which 'he designed and supervised many churches, church halls and manses'. He was admitted FRIBA on 3 December 1906, his proposers being the London architect Thomas Arnold, an old colleague from Cousin's office, Hippolyte Jean Blanc and Robert Rowand Anderson. At that time he was President of the Scottish Arts Club and had been three times president of the Edinburgh Architectural Association. In addition to his known works, his nomination paper states that he had carried out commercial works and farm buildings, although none of these has been identified.
Robertson who was predeceased by his wife, Jessie Beith, died on 20 February 1925 and was buried at Dean Cemetery. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 16, Picardy Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1868 | c. 1874 | | | 12, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1875 | c. 1881 | | | 19, Morningside Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | c. 1882 | | House and office | | 117, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1882 or 1883 | c. 1887 | | | 19, Morningside Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1884 | | | | 13, South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1888 | c. 1890 | | | 16, Pentland Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1889 | | | | 4, Maitland Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1890 | c. 1898 | | | 25, Braidburn Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1897 * | | | | 19, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1899 | c. 1920 | | | 23, St Ronan's Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1903 | 1925 | | | 23, St Monans Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1906 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | David Cousin | 1850 | 1855 | Apprentice | | | David Cousin | 1855 | Before 1865 | Assistant | | | John Lessels | After 1855 | 1865 | Chief Assistant | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Antoine William Roques | 1884 | 1887 | Apprentice | |
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | Thomas Smith Peace (junior) | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship | | George Wilson | 2 December 1907 | for Fellowship |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills (of his wife) Sc70/4/300 and Inventories Sc70/1/362 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA Journal | 25 April 1925 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | Obituary p399 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v18 p7 no1178 (microfilm reel 12) |
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