Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert Ewan | Designation: | | Born: | c. 1828 | Died: | 13 February 1917 | Bio Notes: | Robert Ewan was born about 1828, the son of Charles Ewan, wood merchant, and his wife Jean Smith. From 1862 he was an assistant of J Russell Mackenzie in Aberdeen. Whilst still an assistant he was commissioned to design the Strathearn Hydropathic at Crieff which was promoted in 1866 by an Aberdeen company. He was later to become a director. He appears in the Aberdeen directories between 1865 and 1870 but sometime thereafter he commenced practice in Glasgow initially from his house at 7 Albert Drive, Crosshill. His connection with Crieff remained strong; he designed St Columba's Episcopal Church in 1877 and supervised the erection of John James Stevenson's Free Church there in 1882. In 1885 he was commissioned to build the giant Singer sewing machine works at Kilbowie, his practice remaining predominantly industrial thereafter. His Glasgow Herald obituary does not tell us much beyond the fact that he was well known in the district and was prominent in local affairs having been a member of the Cathcart Landward Committee, the District Committee for Renfrewshire and the Parish Council.
Ewan had a son of the same name, born in 1870 when he was still in Aberdeen: Robert Junior was articled to him in 1889, studying at Glasgow School of Art, and was taken into partnership in 1902. A second son, Charles, born in 1872, followed the same career path two years later, studying at the Glasgow Technical College.
The elder Robert Ewan died on 13 February 1917 at Marylee, 10 Manse Road, Old Cathcart, aged 89, his wife Annie Smith having died the previous year. The business was continued by his sons Robert Junior and Charles. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 7, Hampden Terrace, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | | | Date unknown | | 32, Whitehouse Street, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | c. 1866 | | | | 75, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1875 | After 1894 | | | Kilmailing/10, Manse Brae, Marylea, Old Cathcart, Renfrewshire/Glasgow, Scotland | Private | Before 1888 | 1917 | | | 101, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1900 | After 1914 | |
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 | | John Russell Mackenzie | 1862 * | | Assistant | | | Robert Ewan & Sons | 1902 | 1917 | Senior Partner | |
* earliest date known from documented sources. Employees or Pupils
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | | | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Builder | 9 March 1917 | | | p162 - obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | NMRS Architects Index | | |
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