Basic Biographical Details

Name: Shiells & Thomson
Designation:  
Born: 1877 or 1878
Died: c. 1896
Bio Notes: Late in 1877 or early in 1878, Robert Thornton Shiells entered into a partnership with James M Thomson, with an office at 65 George Street to which Shiells had moved in 1874/75. The continuity of style with Shiells's previous work suggests that Shiells remained the principal designer, or that Thomson had been his principal assistant: nothing is known of Thomson's background. The practice survived the severe recession of the 1880s better than most but in 1894 Shiells became bankrupt as a result of personal speculation in feus at North Merchiston, presumably those at Polwarth Crescent and Temple Park Crescent, his main creditors being the Beatties and his partner James M Thomson. The partnership was thereafter dissolved (although it seems to have been in existence as late as May 1896), the practice being continued by Thomson.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 165, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1877 or 1878  

Employment and Training

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 7Alexander Cumming Dewar18751880Apprentice 
Item 2 of 7Robert Thornton Shiells1877 or 1878c. 1896Partner 
Item 3 of 7James M Thomson1877 or 1878c. 1896Partner 
Item 4 of 7John HoustonBefore 1878 Apprentice 
Item 5 of 7George McLean FordAugust 18841888 or 1889Apprentice 
Item 6 of 7Alfred Greig1885Before 1890Apprentice 
Item 7 of 7Alexander ForsythBefore 18891890sAssistant 

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 281877 or 1878Cowgate Free Church  EdinburghScotlandEnlargement
Item 2 of 281877 or 1878Leith stables for Wardie & CoLeith EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 281877 or 1878Tenements, 26-30 Warrender Park Road and 22-30 Marchmont Crescent  EdinburghScotland 
Item 4 of 281877 or 1878Tron Free Church  EdinburghScotland 
Item 5 of 281878Prestonpans Free ChurchPrestonpans East LothianScotland 
Item 6 of 281878UP ChurchStonehouse LanarkshireScotlandDesign exhibited
Item 7 of 281879East UP ChurchDalkeith MidlothianScotlandDesign exhibited
Item 8 of 281879Free ChurchEast Linton East LothianScotlandReconstruction
Item 9 of 281879Lochgelly Free ChurchLochgelly FifeScotlandNew gallery, porch rebuilt, platform extended etc
Item 10 of 281879South UP ChurchGalashiels SelkirkshireScotlandDesign exhibited
Item 11 of 28188032-42 Marchmont Crescent  EdinburghScotland 
Item 12 of 281880Prospect Place Church  EdinburghScotland 
Item 13 of 281880Roslin Free ChurchRoslin/Rosslyn MidlothianScotland 
Item 14 of 281880SS John Cantius and Nicholas RC ChurchBroxburn West LothianScotlandChurch and spire (the latter added 1890)
Item 15 of 281880Union Bank, West Maitland Street and Palmerston Place  EdinburghScotland 
Item 16 of 281880UP Church, Gilmore Place  EdinburghScotland 
Item 17 of 281882New Free Church, Ferry Road  EdinburghScotland 
Item 18 of 281884Limplum House  East LothianScotlandHouse and probably Lodge
Item 19 of 281885Bo'ness Established ChurchBo'ness / Borrowstouness West LothianScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 20 of 281885Kirkgate UP ChurchLeith EdinburghScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 21 of 281886Four villas, Mayfield RoadMayfield EdinburghScotland 
Item 22 of 281888Dumbarton Cottage HospitalDumbarton DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 23 of 281888Newington Free Church  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 24 of 28188985-87 Shandwick Place  EdinburghScotland 
Item 25 of 281889Musselburgh Free ChurchMusselburgh MidlothianScotlandReconstruction, new façade and tower
Item 26 of 281891Forrest Road  EdinburghScotlandAddition of corner part
Item 27 of 281891Public House, St Mary's Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 28 of 281896Lightburn Infectious Deseases Hospital  GlasgowScotlandThis may be an error in Builder

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory1868Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory London, Wyman 
Item 2 of 2British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914