Basic Biographical Details Name: | Thomas Melville Lunan | Designation: | | Born: | 1878 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | Thomas Melville Lunan was born in 1878 and commenced his architectural training at the Glasgow School of Art in 1895, studying under William James Anderson. He entered the office of James Miller as an apprentice the following year whilst continuing to attend classes. On completion of his apprenticeship in 1901 he joined Watson & Salmond as senior assistant. The firm was based at 225 St Vincent Street, Glasgow in offices adjacent to those of Henry Edward Clifford, with whom staff were shared on the basis of need. In 1893 Lunan officially became Clifford's senior assistant, and was taken into partnership by him in 1909 when the two won the competition, assessed by Burnet, for the new City Hall at Perth. Lunan was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, proposed by John Bennie Wilson and the Glasgow Institute of Architects. By the time of his election as FRIBA in late 1920 or early 1921, his proposers being Clifford, John Watson and James Miller, the firm's offices had moved to 209 St Vincent Street.
Lunan was a good architect of the Miller school and the Clifford & Lunan partnership was initially very successful; but he returned broken and demoralised from his experiences in the Great War and was unable to make any further effective contribution to the practice. As a result Clifford bought out his partnership. Lunan then moved to Leeds 'where he married a good wife who restored his morale', enabling him to successfully recommence practice there. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Leeds, Yorkshire, England | Business | | | | | Scotland | Business | | | | | 225, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1901 | Before 1920 | | | 1, Beaumont Gate, Dowanhill, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1911 * | | | | 209, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1920 * | | | | 40, Belmont Gardens, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1920 * | | | | Larchfield, Kirkintilloch, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Private | c. 1931 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | Henry Edward Clifford | Late 1920 or early 1921 | for Fellowship | | James Miller | Late 1920 or early 1921 | for Fellowship | | John Watson | Late 1920 or early 1921 | for Fellowship | | John Bennie Wilson | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship - as President of the Glasgow Institute of Architects |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA | 1930 | The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Information from John Watson and Alfred G Lochhead | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v19 no1407; F no1803 (microfilm reel 13) |
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