Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Cumming Dewar | Designation: | | Born: | 1 October 1859 | Died: | 10 March 1932 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Cumming Dewar was born in Edinburgh on 1 October 1859, the son of Stewart Dewar and Jane Blair. He was educated at Heriot's School in Edinburgh where he was Gold Medallist and Bursar, after which he attended the Royal Academy Schools. He was articled to Shiells & Thomson of Edinburgh from 1875 to 1880. Thereafter he assisted in various offices in Glasgow and London, returning to Scotland to join his brother Andrew Dewar (born 1846) in partnership in Leven in 1888 (Bailey gives 1886, but A & A C Dewar drawings begin 1889 but one obituary notes that he arrived in Leven in 1887). On 25 June 1890 he married May Warburton of Douglas, Isle of Man. The couple had three daughters, MAy born 1891, Doris born 1894 and Winifred born 1900. Alexander was appointed Town Clerk c.1892, retaining the position for the rest of his life and serving under six Provosts.
Andrew emigrated to work abroad c.1903, Alexander continuing the practice alone thereafter. He was admitted LRIBA on 10 July 1911, proposed by William Fleming Wilkie and the Dundee Institute of Architects; his office address at that time was Mitchell Street, Leven and his home address Arend, Leven. His LRIBA papers describe his firm as a 'usual country practice, all kinds of work, Domestic, Schools, Churches, Town Halls, Shops &c.'. In 1931, and very probably before this, Dewar held the post of Burgh of Leven Housing Architect.
Alexander was a keen golfer, and served as Captain of the Innerleven Golf Club. He died at his home, Redcotes, Links Road, on 10 March 1932. He was survived by three daughters. He left estate to the value of £3328 3s 10d. His practice was taken over by Lawrence Rolland. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Mitchell Street, Leven, Fife, Scotland | Business | | After 1926 | address given in Who's Who in Architecture 1926 | | 47, High Street, Leven, Fife, Scotland | Business | | Before 1932 | | | Arend, Leven, Fife, Scotland | Private | 1888 | After 1911 | | | Bridge Street, Leven, Fife, Scotland | Business | 1889 * | | | | Redcote, Links Road, Leven, Fife, Scotland | Private | After 1911 | 1932 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
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 | | Shiells & Thomson | 1875 | 1880 | Apprentice | | | A & A C Dewar | 1888 | c. 1907 | Partner | |
Employees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | William Fleming Wilkie | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship - as President of the Dundee Institute of Architects |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p112 | | Who's Who in Architecture | 1914 | | | | | | www.familysearch.org | | www.familysearch.org | | Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints: Website | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Dundee Courier | 1 July 1932 | | | | | Isle of Man Times | 28 July 1900 | | | | | RIBA Journal | 9 July 1932 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | p722 - obituary | | Scotsman | 11 March 1932 | | | p7 - obituary; p16 - death notice |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Hurd Rolland, Rossend Castle | A & A C Dewar drawings | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v17 no1224 |
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