Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Findlay
Designation:  
Born: 1 July 1866
Died: 2 March 1943
Bio Notes: James Findlay was born in Alyth on the 1st July 1866. He was educated at Alyth Public School and Daniel Stewart's College, Edinburgh. He was articled to John Murray Robertson, remaining with him to become chief draughtsman. He succeeded to his practice when he died in 1901.

In 1903 Findlay took on David Smith as his chief assistant. Smith was born at Montrose on 25 July 1878 and was educated at Montrose Academy. In 1895 he was articled to McCulloch & Jamieson in Dundee, leaving at the end of his apprenticeship in 1899 to work for Hugh Gavin of Arbroath. During those years he studied at the Dundee Technical Institute under Patrick H Thoms from 1898 until 1900 when he moved to Edinburgh to work for Victor Daniel Horsburgh so that he could study at the School of Applied Art. He obtained a place in the office of Murray Robertson in Dundee 1901-02 from which he succeeded in gaining a place first in the LCC architects' department which enabled him to study at the Regent Street Polytechnic and then in the office of Leonard Stokes from which he won the Tite Prize. Findlay invited him to return to Dundee to assist with the Medical School and the Caird Cancer Pavilion, the latter being largely to his design. While chief assistant with Findlay he built an experimental low cost house, The Sheilin at Wormit (the '£100 house') for his own occupation. He was admitted LRIBA on 20 February 1911, his proposers being Godfrey Shepherd, Thoms and William Fleming Wilkie.

Smith's name never appeared in the title of the firm although he appeared in 'Who's who in Architecture' from 1914: he had clients of his own, but was generally content to remain a back-room architect concentrating on the design work of the practice. In 1928 Findlay took Smith into partnership and in that same year Findlay and Smith merged their practice with that of Nelson T Stewart, whose partner Gilbert Francis Molyneux Ogilvy had retired having inherited the estate of Winton in East Lothian from his aunt. The practice was very briefly Findlay & Stewart before becoming Findlay Stewart & Robbie when Henry Pearce Robbie was taken into partnership c.1930. In the 1920s and 1930s the practice was responsible for several branches of the Dundee Savings Bank, though as yet only one has been identified.

Findlay served as President of the Dundee Architects' Association. Outwith his professional life he was keen on golf and was fomer captain of Dalhousie Golf Club, Carnoustie; he was also a member of Dundee Angling Club. He drove one of the first cars in Dundee.

Findlay died in Dundee on 2 March 1943, leaving estate of £18,011 1s 10d. He never married. As Smith had predeceased him on 3 April 1938 the practice was continued under the same name by Stewart and Pearce Robbie.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 433, Albert Square, Dundee, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1901After 1939 
Item 2 of 4Lynwood/5, Craigie Terrace, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate1913 *  
Item 3 of 433, Meadowside, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate/business1926 Is this Albert Square?
Item 4 of 4Johnfield/15, Roseangle, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate1943 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4John Murray RobertsonBefore 19011901Chief Draughtsman 
Item 2 of 4John Murray RobertsonBefore 1901Before 1901Apprentice 
Item 3 of 4Findlay & Stewart1928c. 1930Partner 
Item 4 of 4Findlay Stewart & Robbiec. 19301943Partner 

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 14Archibald Bulloch19016 June 1902Apprentice 
Item 2 of 14Henry ('Harry') Thomson19011904AssistantWorked as part-time assistant to complete Medical School, whilst also carrying out independent practice
Item 3 of 14Archibald Stuart Soutar31 January 19017 September 1901Assistant 
Item 4 of 14Arthur Gordon WilsonFebruary 19011905Apprentice 
Item 5 of 14James Stedmanc. 1901(?)1904(?)Assistant 
Item 6 of 14Thomas Munro Logan19021905Assistant 
Item 7 of 14David Smith19031928Senior Assistant 
Item 8 of 14Arthur Gordon Wilson19051906Assistant 
Item 9 of 14James Smith Leslie27 September 19071912Apprentice 
Item 10 of 14Alastair Macrae1922Before 1927Apprentice 
Item 11 of 14Arthur Shields Fitzgerald19231925Assistant 
Item 12 of 14Alastair MacraeBefore 19271927Assistant 
Item 13 of 14David Smith19281928Partner 
Item 14 of 14Robert Saddler19351936Assistant 

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 1031892St ClareTayport FifeScotlandDrew plans
Item 2 of 1031898Balgay House  DundeeScotlandConversion of Balgay House into a hospital, and additions. Gifford indicates Findlay repsonsible for cancer pavilion to W, 1903-04 with John Murray Robertson responsible for conversion of house to hospital.
Item 3 of 1031898Bank Buildings Craigellachie BanffshireScotland 
Item 4 of 1031899LindertisKirriemuir AngusScotlandDrew up plans
Item 5 of 1031901DurnPerth PerthshireScotlandGate lodge and motor car house
Item 6 of 1031901St Fillan's UF ChurchNewport-on-Tay FifeScotlandProposed additions to church and to manse
Item 7 of 1031901University College Dundee, medical schools  DundeeScotlandCompleted building to John Murray Robertson's designs after Robertson's death
Item 8 of 1031901Villa and stables for J C StewartDunblane PerthshireScotland 
Item 9 of 103After 1901BalgilloBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations including work on lodge and garage
Item 10 of 103Before 1901Dryburgh House (Camperdown Estate)Lochee DundeeScotlandReconstruction - taken over from John Murray Robertson on the latter's death
Item 11 of 103Before 1901DurnPerth PerthshireScotlandAdditions to house - initially as chief assistant to John Murray Robertson
Item 12 of 1031902Ballumbie Castle  AngusScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 13 of 1031902Commercial buildings, Perth Road and Fords Lane  DundeeScotland 
Item 14 of 1031902Dundee Royal Infirmary, Caird Cancer Pavilion  DundeeScotland 
Item 15 of 1031902Gerard HospitalMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 16 of 1031902The BughtiesBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 17 of 10319035 Blackness Terrace  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 18 of 1031903Balmuir Bleachfield, House for Mr Moodie  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 19 of 1031903Blebo House  FifeScotland 
Item 20 of 1031903Victoria Works  DundeeScotlandNew WCs added
Item 21 of 1031905Building in Croft LaneKirriemuir AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 22 of 1031905House for Mrs J C BruceBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 23 of 1031905Shops and buildingsKirriemuir AngusScotlandAlterations to building
Item 24 of 1031906Abernyte School and schoolhouseAbernyte AngusScotland 
Item 25 of 1031906AvabankBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 26 of 1031906Carron CottageNewport FifeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 27 of 1031906Cottage for Mr OgilvyKirriemuir AngusScotland 
Item 28 of 1031906CrossmountPerth PerthshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 29 of 1031906HazelwoodWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations and garden seat
Item 30 of 1031906Manhattan Works  DundeeScotland 
Item 31 of 1031907Dryburgh House (Camperdown Estate)Lochee DundeeScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 32 of 1031907Dundee Royal Infirmary  DundeeScotlandAlterations and additions to hospital, including lodge at main gate and outpatients' department to west
Item 33 of 1031907Seathwood House, lodge and gatepiers  DundeeScotlandMotor house
Item 34 of 1031907Villa for Dr SibbaldStanley PerthshireScotland 
Item 35 of 1031908SchoolLongforgan PerthshireScotland 
Item 36 of 1031908TaycliffWest Ferry DundeeScotlandWest wing added
Item 37 of 1031908Villa and semi-detached villaBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 38 of 1031909Abernyte School and schoolhouseAbernyte AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 39 of 1031909Comerton Children's Home  FifeScotlandAlterations
Item 40 of 103c. 1909Blyth Memorial Hall (and municipal buildings)Newport FifeScotlandAlterations?
Item 41 of 1031910Shop and dwelling house for Mr P FairweatherBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 42 of 1031910Tenement in Church StreetBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 43 of 103191141 Roseangle  DundeeScotlandRoof raised and west wing added
Item 44 of 1031911Caird Nurses' Home  DundeeScotland 
Item 45 of 1031911LinfieldWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 46 of 103After 1911(?)Licensed premisesHawkhill DundeeScotland 
Item 47 of 1031912Grey Lodge  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 48 of 103c. 1912Butterstone House  PerthshireScotlandAdditions
Item 49 of 1031913Fairmuir Special SchoolFairmuir DundeeScotlandAwarded third place in competition
Item 50 of 1031913Invergowrie School (Later building)Invergowrie Perthshire/AngusScotlandAttribution
Item 51 of 1031914Cape Verde Islands, bungalow   Cape Verde Islands 
Item 52 of 1031914Dundee Women's Hospital  DundeeScotland 
Item 53 of 1031919Dundee High School, memorial screen  DundeeScotland 
Item 54 of 1031919Hospital Park Housing Scheme  DundeeScotlandDesigned buildings; scheme planned by James Thomson, Dundee City Architect
Item 55 of 1031919Reres CottageBarnhill DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 56 of 1031919St ClareTayport FifeScotlandAlterations
Item 57 of 1031920sDundee Savings Bank branches  DundeeScotland 
Item 58 of 1031920Beach HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandConversion to gallery
Item 59 of 1031920Brae CottageBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 60 of 1031920FairfieldWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 61 of 103c. 1920CottageMeigle PerthshireScotland 
Item 62 of 1031921Belmont House  DundeeScotlandAdditions?
Item 63 of 1031921Dundee City Improvement Scheme buildings in High Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 64 of 1031922Villa, Rockfield Crescent and Hyndford Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 65 of 1031923ArdmoreKirriemuir AngusScotlandRestoration
Item 66 of 1031923CaenlochanWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 67 of 1031924HazelwoodWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations to house and addition of garage
Item 68 of 1031924Holiday HomeAuchterhouse DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 69 of 1031924Netherwood  DundeeScotland 
Item 70 of 1031925Annfield HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 71 of 1031925BungalowBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 72 of 1031925Dundee High School, Arbroath Road Pavilion  DundeeScotland 
Item 73 of 1031925Semi-detached cottagesWormit FifeScotland 
Item 74 of 1031926Caledonian Insurance Building  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 75 of 1031926HouseWormit FifeScotland 
Item 76 of 1031926House, Glamis Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 77 of 1031927Glenisla ManseGlenisla AngusScotlandAdditions and coal house
Item 78 of 1031927Kingoldrum ManseKingoldrum PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 79 of 1031928Bungalow, Blackness Road and Glamis Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 80 of 1031928Dundee High School, Janitor's house at boys' school  DundeeScotland 
Item 81 of 1031928Gate Lodge, DunalastairBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 82 of 1031929Premises East Somerville Place  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 83 of 1031930Double villa, Hyndford Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 84 of 1031930Glamis House  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 85 of 1031930Premises for M Boyle's Trust  DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 86 of 1031931Bungalow, Dalgleish Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 87 of 1031932Netherwood  DundeeScotlandAdditions and garage
Item 88 of 1031933Caird Nurses' Home  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 89 of 1031934Cottages, Pond LaneTayport FifeScotland 
Item 90 of 1031934Four shopsBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 91 of 1031934Guardbridge Co-operative Society Buildings, including stablesTayport FifeScotlandDrew plans
Item 92 of 1031934Robertson's furniture store  DundeeScotland 
Item 93 of 1031935Beach HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandLarge extension to north west
Item 94 of 1031935Building, Carnleith PlaceAlyth PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 95 of 1031935Dundee Savings Bank  DundeeScotland 
Item 96 of 1031935Garage Workshop and Showroom - Reid, Johnstone, Bell and Henderson  DundeeScotland 
Item 97 of 1031935Holiday HomeAuchterhouse DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 98 of 1031935Tenement, Roseangle  DundeeScotland 
Item 99 of 1031936Caledonian Insurance Building  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 100 of 1031937Carn-ElrigBoat of Garten Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 101 of 1031937Flass Road Housing Scheme, block of 6 housesNewport FifeScotland 
Item 102 of 1031937Guardbridge Co-operative Society bakeryGuardbridge FifeScotlandAdditions
Item 103 of 1031938The ElmsMonikie AngusScotlandAlterations

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Builder9 April 1943  Obituary
Item 2 of 2Scotsman3 March 1944  p3

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Courtesy of Iain Duncan, great nephewInformation via website Sent April 2008
Item 2 of 2Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Personal information from H Pearce Robbie, Robert Dron, Sir David Ogilvy and ___Peattie of Shiell & Small.