Basic Biographical Details

Name: Donald Alexander Gow
Designation:  
Born: 1855 or 1856 or 1957
Died: 11 February 1901
Bio Notes: Donald Alexander Gow was born in 1855, 1856 or 1857, a native of Blair Atholl. He may have been a son of Alexander M Gow who practised in Glasgow 1853-1866 or 67. Donald joined the Office of Public Works in Glasgow under John Carrick but moved to Edinburgh in 1879 as assistant to John Chessor, superintendent of work for the Heriot Trust and by 1879-80 Gow was sufficiently senior for his name to appear in the PO Directory. On the death of John Chessor in 1889, Gow he obtained the post of Surveyor for the Heriot Trust iin Edinburgh where he seems to have remained until at least 1900. His obituarist records that 'his main duties consisted in the drawing of feuing plans and in looking after the peoperties of the Trust; but his abilities as an architect was also shown in the designs which he prepared for the Examination hall at the Heriot School, with features adapted for the main building, and also in the technical school on the same grounds'.

Outwith his professional life, Gow was fond of shooting as a recreation and was one of the original members and office bearers of the Edinburgh Gun Club, and he was also a good golfer.

Gow died aged 44 on 11 February 1901.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Heriot Trust Chambers/20, York Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1889c. 1900 
Item 2 of 218, Bellevue Crescent, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1889(?)c. 1900(?) 

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 3After 1889George Heriot's School, technical department  EdinburghScotlandAs Superintendent of Work for Heriot's Hospital.
Item 2 of 31894George Heriot's School, Examination Hall  EdinburghScotlandAs Superintendent of Works for the Heriot Trust.
Item 3 of 31896Villa Development, North Wester CoatesWester Coates EdinburghScotlandSupervision

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Post Office Directories     

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3British Architect15 February 1901  p109
Item 2 of 3Building News15 February 1901  p225
Item 3 of 3Scotsman12 February 1901  p6

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Courtesy of Neil DarlingtonInformation sent via DSA website Sent October 2009