Basic Biographical Details Name: | David Adams Lumsden | Designation: | | Born: | 7 March 1883 | Died: | 1975 | Bio Notes: | David Adams Lumsden was born in 1880 and was articled to Thomas Martin Cappon of Dundee in 1898 or 1899 (original sources vary), working under William Gillespie Lamond on St Patrick's RC Church and on alterations to St Mary's RC Church, both in Dundee. Whilst there he studied at Dundee University and Technical College. On completion of his apprenticeship in 1902 or 1903 he moved to Liverpool, entering the office of Walter Aubrey Thomas as assistant and continuing his studies at the Liverpool School of Art and Technical School and at Sandon Studios. The following year he joined the much better known office of Briggs & Wolstenholme of May Buildings, 51 North John Street in the same city, soon to become Briggs, Wolstenholme & Thornely and subsequently Briggs, Wolstenholme, Hobbs & Thornely, as chief assistant. In 1908 he obtained a travelling studentship from Liverpool Architectural Society, enabling him to make a tour of France and Spain including Paris and Madrid.
In 1909 he left Liverpool for Cardiff, where he became chief assistant to Glamorgan County Architect David Pugh-Jones, and the following year was appointed deputy architect to the Glamorgan Education Committee. He was admitted LRIBA on 27 February 1911, his proposers being Cecil Locke Wilson of Cardiff, and Alfred William Stephens Cross and George Hubbard, both of London.
Lumsden was on war service from 1914 to 1919. His movements in the following two years are unclear but in 1921 he was appointed resident architect to Messrs Lewis's Ltd for the reconstruction of their Birmingham store, on completion of which, in 1935, he continued to practise on his own account, working on commercial and industrial premises and domestic buildings. From September 1941 he was involved in the assessment of war damage alongside Leonard Ewen Harper. He was elected FRIBA on 10 February 1942, his proposers being Harper, Ernest Chawner Bewlay and Frank Wager. At that time his offices were at Theatre Royal Chambers, Birmingham, and he was living at Widney Manor, Solihull.
By 1960 Adams was in partnership with John M Phillips in Solihull. He would appear to have retired by 1970 but remained living in Solihull.
Adams died in between April and June 1975 in Sleaford. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 62, Charles Street, Cardiff, Wales | Business | 1911 * | | | | St Fagans, Cardiff, Wales | Private | 1911 * | | | | 111, Singleton Avenue, Birkenhead, Cheshire, England | Private(?) | 1914 * | | | | Normanhurst, Howard Road, South Yardley, Birmingham, England | Private | 1922 * | | | | 10A, Temple Row, Birmingham, England | Business | 1922 * | | | | Widney Manor, Solihull, Birmingham, England | Private | 1941 * | | | | Theatre Royal Chambers, New Street, Birmingham, England | Business | 1941 * | After 1950 | | | Warwick Road, Solihull, Birmingham, England | Business | 1960 * | | | | The Moat Mews, Four Ashes Road, Dorridge, Solihull, Warwickshire, England | Private | 1970 | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA Proposers
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1898 | St Patrick's RC Church, Presbytery and halls | | | Dundee | Scotland | As apprentice to T M Cappon | | 1899 | St Mary's RC Church | | | Dundee | Scotland | Major rebuilding of earlier church - as apprentice to T M Cappon |
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 | | | | | Who's Who in Architecture | 1914 | | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | England and Wales | Births, marriages and deaths | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v10 no582 (microfilm reel 32); A no3572 (microfilm reel 27); F no3866 (box 29) |
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