Basic Biographical Details

Name: David Robertson
Designation:  
Born: 2 October 1885
Died: October 1944(?)
Bio Notes: David Robertson was born on 2 October 1885 and was articled to Mitchell & Whitelaw of Glasgow in 1902, studying at Glasgow School of Architecture, the Royal Technical College and Glasgow University. During the early years of his training he spent his holidays sketching and measuring in Oxford, Cambridge, York and other cathedral towns, and at Haddon Hall and Stokesay Castle. He transferred to the office of Stewart & Paterson in 1906 and remained as assistant after completing his apprenticeship in 1907. Over the next five years he worked for several Glasgow firms including Campbell Douglas & Paterson. He won the Alexander Thomson Scholarship in 1909, enabling him to spend a year in Italy, and at other times during these years travelled in France and Belgium as well as spending a further year in Italy.

In 1912 he moved to Dumfries where he joined the firm of Barbour & Bowie as chief assistant. He undertook war service from 1915 until January 1919 but was made a partner in the practice on his return, although the practice title remained as Barbour & Bowie. He was admitted ARIBA in mid-1919, his proposers being John Watson, David Salmond, and John Keppie, who wrote in his supporting statement: 'I have a high opinion of Mr Robertson's attainment as an Architect, his design for the Thomson Memorial was excellent, he makes an accomplished draughtsman.'

Robertson left Barbour & Bowie in 1924. By the time of his election as FRIBA in 1939 he was working for the Middlesex County Council; his nomination papers state that he had had 'Numerous Editions of Original Etchings published by H C Dickens 9 Gt Poultney Street London'.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 353, Buccleuch Street, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, ScotlandBusiness1912After 1919 
Item 2 of 314, Gordon Street, Dumfries, Dumfriesshire, ScotlandPrivate1919 *  
Item 3 of 326 Clare Court, Judd Street, Bloomsbury, London, EnglandPrivate/business(?)1938 or 1939 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


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 7Mitchell & Whitelaw19021906Apprentice 
Item 2 of 7Stewart & Paterson19061907Apprentice 
Item 3 of 7Stewart & Paterson1907Before 1912Assistant 
Item 4 of 7Campbell Douglas & PatersonAfter 1907Before 1910Assistant 
Item 5 of 7Barbour & Bowie19121915Chief Assistant 
Item 6 of 7Barbour & Bowie19191924Partner 
Item 7 of 7Middlesex County Council Architect's Department1938 or 1939(?)   

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3John KeppieMid 1919for Associateship
Item 2 of 3David SalmondMid 1919for Associateship
Item 3 of 3John WatsonMid 1919for Associateship

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 6After 1912Brocklehirst House  DumfriesshireScotlandRemodelling and extension - as chief assistant or partner in firm of Barbour & Bowie
Item 2 of 6After 1912Farm buildings for H Keswick Esq, including piggeries and cottages  DumfriesshireScotland 
Item 3 of 6After 1912Housing SchemeMaxwelltown, Dumfries DumfriesshireScotlandAs chief assistant or partner in the firm of Barbour & Bowie
Item 4 of 6After 1912Shooting LodgeKirkcudbright KirkcudbrightshireScotlandAs chief assistant or partner in the firm of Barbour & Bowie
Item 5 of 6After 1912St Andrews RC Pro-CathedralDumfries DumfriesshireScotlandAlterations (baptistery) - as chief assistant or partner in the firm of Barbour & Bowie
Item 6 of 61914Barjarg Tower  DumfriesshireScotlandMajor remodelling - as chief assistant to Barbour & Bowie

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder13 October 1944v167 p300 - obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A v25 no2827 (microfilm reel 23); F no3509 (box 24)