Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Beattie Taylor
Designation:  
Born: 9 March 1871
Died: 3 September 1929
Bio Notes: William Beattie Taylor was born on 9 March 1871 in Edinburgh, the fifth child of Helen Beattie and John Taylor. John Taylor's father founded the business John Taylor and Son, Furniture Designer, Cabinet Maker and Upholsterer, Edinburgh.

His maternal great grandfather, William Beattie, founded the building company of William Beattie and Sons of Fountainbridge, Edinburgh which was then continued by his grandfather, another William Beattie (Builder, 1808 - 1868), George Beattie (Builder, Wood Merchant and Architect, 1809 or 10 to 1872 - George Beattie and Sons, in partnership with his eldest son William Hamilton Beattie but died before the George Lennox Beattie joined the partnership) and Adam Beattie (Builder and quarry master, 1822 to 1880).

From 1896 Taylor worked in partnership with John H Cooper in Edinburgh from 1896.

William Beattie Taylor married Marguerite Dora Tod Munro before 1901 and lived at 151 Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh.

Beattie was a keen amateur golfer and was Irish Open Amateur (Golf) Champion in 1895, 1896 and 1898. He won twice at Portrush and once at Newcastle. He specialised in golf clubhouse design.

His partnership with John H Cooper seems to have ended about 1916 or before (1916 is the last entry in Post Office directories). However he remained in practice at the last known address of the Taylor & Cooper firm until at least the late 1920s when Percy Pithie Henderson served his articles and remained as assistant there.

Taylor died suddenly in his chair in his office on 3 September 1929. His obituary in the 'Lancashire Evening Post' notes that he was one of the tallest amateur golfers. After his death the practice was taken over by William Ogilvie who ran it under the title W B Taylor & Ogilvie from 4 Forres Street, Edinburgh.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 5148, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1894c. 1898In partnership with Cooper latterly
Item 2 of 514B, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1898c. 1903In partnership with Cooper
Item 3 of 529, Frederick Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 19051929Initially as Cooper & Taylor and later Taylor alone. His business address remained the same until his death.
Item 4 of 5151, Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1908c. 1927 
Item 5 of 54, Forres Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1931c. 1934With Ogilvie as partner

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2Cooper & Taylor1896 or 18971906Partner 
Item 2 of 2W B Taylor & Ogilviec. 1931c. 1934Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3Arthur Bain ('Tim') Morrison19191924Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3Percy Pithie Henderson26 January 1923c. December 1926Apprentice 
Item 3 of 3Percy Pithie Hendersonc. December 192630 June 1928Assistant 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 121897Ravleston Dykes Golf ClubhouseMurrayfield EdinburghScotland 
Item 2 of 121898Bridgeside Works  EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 121898Clubhouse for Bruntsfield Links Golfing SocietyBarnton EdinburghScotland 
Item 4 of 121898Duddingston Golf Club House  EdinburghScotlandExtension
Item 5 of 121899Ice making unit and cold storeLochrin EdinburghScotland 
Item 6 of 121901Minden HousePeebles PeeblesshireScotlandExtensive rebuilding
Item 7 of 121902Drill Hall and HQ for the Queen's Rifle Volunteer Brigade, The Royal Scots  EdinburghScotland 
Item 8 of 121904Royal Burgess Golf Club, BarntonCramond EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 9 of 121909Cattle MartGorgie EdinburghScotland 
Item 10 of 121926House for William McGregor EsqCastle Douglas KirkcudbrightshireScotland 
Item 11 of 121928Gullane Golf Club HouseGullane East LothianScotland 
Item 12 of 121928Inverinate HouseKintail Ross & CromartyScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Laperriere, Charles Baile de (ed.)1991The Royal Scottish Academy Exhibitors 1826-1990   
Item 2 of 3Post Office Directories     
Item 3 of 3RSA1903   414 - for address of this date

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Dundee Evening Telegraph & Post3 September 1929   
Item 2 of 3Edinburgh Gazette26 November 1929   
Item 3 of 3Lancashire Evening Post4 September 1929   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Courtesy of Nigel JohnsInformation sent to Dictionary Sent July 2015
Item 2 of 2Courtesy of Richard BeattieInformation sent via 'Contact Us' on website Sent June 2012