Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | John Carrick | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 6 May 1819 | Died: | 2 May 1890 | Bio Notes: | John Carrick was born on the banks of the Carron at Larbert in Stirlingshire on 6 May 1819, the son of William Carrick and his wife Marion Dunn. He was brought up in Denny until his family moved to Glasgow in 1823. In 1831 he entered the office of John Bryce at the age of twelve, presumably initially as an office boy. On completion of his apprenticeship he worked for a time as assistant to John Herbertson, and then for a short period in England. In 1839 at the age of twenty he went into partnership with James Brown as Brown & Carrick. Of this firm's work Carrick is only credited with property for Orr & Sons at the west corner of Union Street and Gordon Street. In 1844 he obtained the appointment of Superintendent of Streets, replacing a Mr Hume who had resigned. The office was then lodged in the Jail in Saltmarket, and the staff consisted of John Carrick and one clerk. Later in the same year he suceeded Herbertson as Prison Architect.
Carrick married Jane Stewart (born c.1819) and they had at least five children: William (born c.1846), Jane (born c.1847), Samuel (born c.1849), John (year of birth unknown) and Ellen, (born in Dundonald 1857).
In 1854 Carrick's duties grew to full-time level when he succeeded John Strang as Superintendent of Public Works and the partnership was dissolved that year. In 1855 Brown inherited the estate of Currie, Gorebridge, Midlothian and had to give more time to its management of this, and only maintaining a small private practice from Currie House. Sometime before 1853 Charles O'Neill had been recruited to assist with the architectural work of the office, but in about 1861 Carrick's responsibilities were again increased when he was called upon to draft the Glasgow Police Act of 1862. In that same year, 1862, Carrick's duties were consolidated under the title of City Architect although he still had few staff. In 1863 O'Neill resigned to emigrate to New Zealand and was replaced by Thomas Gildard who had closed his practice following the death of his brother-in-law and partner R H M Macfarlane in the previous year.
Thereafter Carrick largely drafted the Glasgow Improvement Act of 1866 which brought the City Improvement Trust into being. With the proposals for slum clearance and the rationalisation of the street pattern of the older areas of the city as a grid in view he visited Paris in that year accompanied by Provost Blackie, Bailie Raeburn and Dr Gairdner, the City's Medical Office of Health. This visit was immediately followed by major street improvements in Ingram Street, High Street and Gallowgate and the building of model lodging houses and a couple of experimental model tenements in Drygate. As Campbell Douglas observed 'the brains labour must have been excessive,' as late in 1872 Carrick's salary was still only £350. Gildard's reminiscences give a vivid picture of Carrick's impatience with the slowness of the progress of the Trust, and particularly after the failure of the City of Glasgow Bank in 1878, the very low take-up of the feus in his new streets. Nevertheless his staff grew with the arrival of Frank Burnet in 1871, David Valentine Wyllie in 1878 and - sometime before 1879 - David McBean who was entrusted with finding a solution to inter-departmental rivalries in the outline plans for the City Chambers competition of 1880-1881.
In addition to his house in the City Carrick had a house at Prestwick where he spent the weekends, and where Gildard occasionally was a guest. Carrick himself was very generous but impatient and hot-tempered. Right up to his death he is said to have done almost all the actual designing himself, though much of his later work was probably Gildard's under his supervision. They clung faithfully to the Italian Renaissance they had learned in their early days, Carrick's last executed work, the Maitland Street Police Office an exceptionally distinguished work, being far more in the style of 1850 than 1890. Its later date was only apparent in smaller details. Occasionally Carrick used a Scots Jacobean style as in the Clyde Street Model Lodging House, a work of surprising distinction for such a purpose.
John Carrick was admitted FRIBA on 4 December 1876, his proposers being Charles Barry, John Honeyman and John Macvicar Anderson. He died at his home at 9 Park Quadrant on 2 May 1890 after three weeks of influenza, leaving moveable estate of £60,72 9s 9d. There is a portrait of him by Sir Daniel McNee in Kelvingrove Gallery. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 144, Queen street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1844 | 1845 | Address of Brown & Carrick |  | 121, North Montrose Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1851 * | | |  | 9, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1851 * | | Address of Brown & Carrick |  | 5, Park Quadrant, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1862 | | |  | 1/4/11, South Albion Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1862 * | c. 1870 | Municipal Offices. Street numbers vary
|  | 74, Hutcheson Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1874 | 1888 | Office of Public Works |  | 140, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1876 * | | |  | Glasgow Municipal Buildings, George Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1888 | 1890 | |  | 6, Park Quadrant, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1888 * | 1890 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | Charles Gordon O'Neill | c. 1853 | 1863 | Assistant | In City Architect's Department, South Albion Street |  | John O'Neill | c. 1863 | | | |  | Thomas Gildard | 1863 or 1864 | 1890 | (?) | In Glasgow Office of Public Works/City Architect's Department |  | Alexander Beith McDonald | 1870 | 1890 | Assistant | Working under Carrick in Glasgow Office of Public Works/City Architect's Department |  | Frank Burnet | 1871 | 1876 | Apprentice | |  | David Valentine Wyllie | 1878 | 1887 | Assistant | In Glasgow Office of Public Works/City Architect's Department |  | David McBean (or David MacBean) | Before 1879 | 1890 | Assistant | In Office of Public Works; latterly worked as office manager |
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes |  | David Thomson | 17 December 1877 | for Fellowship |
Buildings and DesignsThis architect 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 |  | 1840 | Property at Eglinton and William Streets | Hutchesontown | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1844 | Corn Exchange | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building |  | 1845 | Wee Kirk | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1846 | Polmont Free Church | Polmont | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1849 | Cathedral Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Road widening- as Superintendent of Streets |  | 1850 | Bell Street Police Office and Old Fire Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As Superintendent of Streets and Prison Architect |  | 1850 | Orr and Sons | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1852 | City Halls and Bazaar | Candleriggs | | Glasgow | Scotland | As supervisor with Bell & Miller - as Superintendent of Streets etc |  | 1854 | Glasgow Sailors' Home | Broomielaw | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1855 | Tron Steeple | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Overhaul of steeple and ground floor arches, pierced for pavement |  | 1857 | Queen's Park | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Modified Paxton's plans - as City Architect |  | 1857 | Victoria Road | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extension of Eglinton Street to Queen's Park as Victoria Road. As City Architect |  | 1858 | Western Police Office | Cranstonhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1860 | College Street Fire Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1860 | Cranston Street Fire Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1860 | Soho Street Fire Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1866 | Abattoir, south side | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Probably Carrick responsible as City Architect but see reference to Clarke & Bell in APSD in relation to abbatoirs generally |  | 1866 | Cattle Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Entrance |  | 1866 | Ingram Street Extension | | | Glasgow | Scotland | With John Nichol |  | 1868 | Duke Street prison | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions |  | 1868 | Kelvingrove Park, timber bridge | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Timber Bridge painted to look like masonry - as City Architect |  | 1868 | Layout of Greenhead Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1868 | Tobago Street Police Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1868(?) | Cleansing Department Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1869 | Drygate Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1869 | Female Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | 65-71 Drygate | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | Bell Street Continuation and layout of Watson Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | Belvidere Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building and initial extensions - as City Architect |  | 1870 | Bridgeton Cross and James Street improvement | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | East Russell Street Model Lodging | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | Gallowgate improvement | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | Kelvinhaugh Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | Oatlands Feuing Plan | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1870 | Overnewton feuing plan | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1870 | South Wellington Street Police Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1870 | St George's Road Fire Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1870 | Warwick Street Fire Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1871 | Kent Street Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1872 | Drygate Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extensions - as City Architect |  | 1872 | Feuing of London Street, Charlotte Street, Gallowgate | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1872 | Gorbals Cross | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1872 | Molendinar closed in | | | Glasgow | Scotland | ' Molendinar closed in' in hand |  | 1872 | Municipal Offices Springburn | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1872 | North Corner, Ingram Street and High Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations - as City Architect |  | 1872 | Springburn Police Office | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | After 1872 | Camperdown Street Police Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1873 | Saltmarket New Market | Saltmarket | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1874 | Greendyke Street Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1874 | Kelvingrove House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Museum extension |  | 1874 | St Andrew's Parish Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Supervised the repairs - as City Architect |  | 1875 | Abattoirs and Meat Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Main market halls and Graham Square facades - as City Architect |  | 1875 | Hyndland feuing plan | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1875 | Old Clothes Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1875 | Dalmarnock Road Police Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1875 | St Rollox Fire Station | St Rollox | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1875 | St Rollox Police Station | St Rollox | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1876 | Dog and Bird Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1876 | Greenhead Public Washhouse | Greenhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1877 | Anderston Model Lodging | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1877 | Calton Model Lodging | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1877 | Hyde Park Street Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1877 | North Woodside Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1877 | Portugal Street Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1877 | Queen's Dock, Hydraulic Pumping Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | 'Buildings of Scotland' attribution - as City Architect |  | 1877 | Yate Street Police Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1878 | High Street Workers' Dwellings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1879 | Cathedral Square Gardens | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1879 | Saltmarket Model Lodging House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1880 | Girder Bridge, West End Park | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1880 | North Woodside Public Baths and washhouse | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1882 | City Halls and Bazaar | Candleriggs | | Glasgow | Scotland | New Candleriggs Frontage. As City Architect |  | 1882 | Townhead Public Washhouse | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1883 | Cranstonhill Public Baths | Cranstonhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1884 | Alexandra Public Park | Dennistoun | | Glasgow | Scotland | Plan for feuing edges of park - as City Architect |  | 1884 | Marine Police Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1884 | Model Workmen's Dwellings, Moncur Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1884 | South Side Baths | Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1886 | Foreign Animals Wharves | Pointhouse and Shieldhall | | Glasgow | Scotland | With John White |  | 1887 | City Improvement Trust tenements, Saltmarket and Steel Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1887 | Tenements, Saltmarket | Saltmarket | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | c. 1887 | Tenements, Robb's Close | | | Glasgow | Scotland | With MacBean?. As City Architect |  | 1889 | City Improvement Trust Buildings, High Street and Bell Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building -with A B McDonald, as City Engineer |  | 1889 | City Improvement Trust tenements and shops, Trongate | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Perhaps did original scheme on which A B McDonald (as City Surveyor) based work |  | 1889 | Fish Market | | | Glasgow | Scotland | East halls - as City Architect |  | 1889 | Tenements for workers at the Kelvinhaugh Refuse Disposal Works | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |  | 1890(?) | McLennan Arch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Reconstruction of centre piece of Robert and James Adam's Assembly Rooms - as City Architect |  | 1890 | Northern Police Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As City Architect |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Reid, Peter | | Glasgow : the making of the city | | | |  | Withey, K Matthew | 2003 | The Glasgow Improvement Trust: an analysis of its genesis, impact and legacy and an inventory of its buildings | | PhD thesis | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 10 May 1890 | | | |  | Builder | 31 May 1890 | | | |  | Building News | 15 August 1890 | | | p 234 |  | Inland Architect and News Record | June 1890 | | | p 66 |  | Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers | 1890 | CI | | pp292-295 |  | RIBA Transactions | 1890 | | | Article by Campbell Douglas |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | Courtesy of Frances Dryburgh | Additional information via website from Frances Dryburgh | | |  | Mitchell Library | Gildard's manuscript reminiscences of John Carrick | | |  | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Research by Iain Paterson |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v5 p53, microfiche 88/G3 |
Images © All rights reserved. Building News 15 August 1890 © All rights reserved. Edinburgh Architectural Association 1907 Exhibition Catalogue |