Basic Biographical Details

Name: Charles Ernest Monro
Designation:  
Born: 27 July 1874
Died: 14 November 1945
Bio Notes: Charles Ernest Monro was born in Glasgow on 27 July 1874 (Reg dist 644/7, entry 1361), the elder son of Glasgow architect James Milne Monro and Sarah Mary Potter and was educated at Allan Glen’s School and the Royal Technical College. He joined his father's practice, first in 1893 as an apprentice, then becoming assistant in 1898 and partner in 1903, the firm becoming J M Monro & Son. He passed the qualifying exam relatively late in 1902, although he had probably been responsible for most of the firm's Free Renaissance design work since c.1890. About this time he travelled in Scotland, England and France and possibly elsewhere on the Continent, some of his student drawings still surviving in the Monro & Partners archive. He was admitted ARIBA on 2 March 1903, his proposers being David Barclay, Horatio Kelson Bromhead and John Slater. In 1902 he also became president of the Architectural Craftsmen's Association. He married Janet Alexander Miller and they had a son, Geoffrey James Monro (born 1907) and a daughter.

Charles Ernest continued the practice after his father's death in 1921, prior to which the firm concentrated on hotel and industrial work, particularly for bakers and he was the architect of several notable factories in Glasgow, London, Aberdeen, Hertfordshire and Lancashire. In the 1920s and 1930s the firm turned to department store and shop work, chielfy for Marks & Spencer and Bayne & Duckett. His son Geoffrey James joined the firm in the early 1920s.

Charles Ernest Monro died of cerebral haemorrhage on 14 November 1945 at 'Saxonholme,'50 Manse Road, Bearsden.

(NB: Charles Ernest Monro's RIBA nomination papers are self-contradictory, giving his birth date as 27 July 1874 and yet stating that he served his apprenticeship and undertook his studies from 1883 to 1893, followed by a 'lost' decade before he was taken into partnership by his father in 1903. His biography here has been composed on the assumption that he in fact began his training ten years later than he states, as his date of birth in 1874 has been confirmed as correct.)

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Saxonholme, Bearsden, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 18911945Family home with his father still living there in the 1891 census. Given as place of death
Item 2 of 428, Bath Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 18931912 
Item 3 of 4134, Bath Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness19121935 
Item 4 of 4307, West George Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness19351945 

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 3James Milne Monro18831888ApprenticeApprentice in 1888 and partner in 1893
Item 2 of 3James Milne Monro18881903Chief Assistant 
Item 3 of 3J M Monro & Son19031945Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6John Maurice Arthur1 May 1940for Fellowship
Item 2 of 6David Barclay2 March 1903for Associateship
Item 3 of 6Horatio Kelson Bromhead2 March 1903for Associateship
Item 4 of 6James Lochhead1 May 1940for Fellowship
Item 5 of 6John Slater2 March 1903for Associateship
Item 6 of 6George Williams1 May 1940for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 5Mary Elizabeth Currie (Mrs Taylor) 20 April 1941for Associateship
Item 2 of 5John Hinshelwood14 April 1942for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 5James William Davies Kelly7 May 1946for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 5James Stewart McGavin15 January 1946For Associateship
Item 5 of 5John Basden Wingate14 February 1945for Licentiateship

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 128 Broomhill HouseKirkintilloch DunbartonshireScotlandReconstruction? New build?
Item 2 of 1281890(?)Factory, Ingram Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 3 of 1281890(?)Markree Castle  County SligoEireAlterations
Item 4 of 1281890Victoria Bread and Biscuit Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions.
Item 5 of 128After 1890Villa   Scotland 
Item 6 of 1281893Convent of the Little Sisters of the PoorGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandIn partnership for these years for work done on Convent during these years
Item 7 of 1281893Grand HotelSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 8 of 1281894House for James Halliday   ScotlandAddition of scullery
Item 9 of 1281895Victoria Bread and Biscuit Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 10 of 1281896Callander HydropathicCallander PerthshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 11 of 1281897Grand HotelSt Andrews FifeScotlandSouth east rear wing extension
Item 12 of 1281897St Joseph's Convent of the Little Sisters of the Poor  EdinburghScotlandChapel
Item 13 of 1281898Alexandra HotelOban ArgyllScotlandLarge additions, including building containing bedrooms in garden grounds of hotel
Item 14 of 1281898Premises, Lyon Street East  GlasgowScotlandFurther work
Item 15 of 1281898Public Bar for R W Cairns  GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 1281898Sausage Factory  GlasgowScotlandFurther building at rear
Item 17 of 1281899Premises for J H SimpsonBridgeton GlasgowScotland 
Item 18 of 1281899Tradeston Tube Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 19 of 1281900Grant Arms HotelGrantown-on-Spey MorayshireScotlandLarge addition
Item 20 of 1281900Public House for James McFarlaneMaryhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 21 of 1281900Station HotelOban ArgyllScotlandAlterations
Item 22 of 128c. 1900ChurchDumbarton DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 23 of 1281901Alexandra HotelOban ArgyllScotlandLarge additions, including verandah
Item 24 of 1281901Daly's premises  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction
Item 25 of 1281901Double villa for Mr DayeBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 26 of 1281902McNaughton & Sinclair's premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 27 of 1281902Shop, Buchanan Street  GlasgowScotlandShop fitting
Item 28 of 1281902St Matthew's School  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction as Industrial School
Item 29 of 1281902Tenements at DowanhillKelvinside GlasgowScotland 
Item 30 of 1281902Tenements for William Lightbody  GlasgowScotland 
Item 31 of 1281903HillcrestBearsden GlasgowScotlandAddition
Item 32 of 1281903King's Arms HotelStranraer WigtownshireScotland 
Item 33 of 1281903Premises of George Boyd & Co  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 34 of 1281903The RidgeBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 35 of 1281903Wellburn Convent of the Little Sisters of the PoorLochee DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 36 of 1281904St Joseph's Convent of the Little Sisters of the Poor  EdinburghScotlandFurther work
Item 37 of 1281904Workshop for Clarkson BrothersAnniesland GlasgowScotland 
Item 38 of 1281904Workshop for James Herbertson & Son  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 39 of 1281905533-541 Duke Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 40 of 1281905SaxonholmeBearsden GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 41 of 1281905Villa for Mrs MillerBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 42 of 1281906Callander HydropathicCallander PerthshireScotlandTennis pavilion and other alterations
Item 43 of 1281906Dreadnought HotelCallander PerthshireScotlandAddition
Item 44 of 1281906McNaughton & Sinclair's premises  GlasgowScotlandAlterations?
Item 45 of 1281906Shop for Bayne & Duckett   Scotland 
Item 46 of 1281906Shop for Bayne & Duckett  GlasgowScotland 
Item 47 of 1281906Tea warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 48 of 128190710 Walmer CrescentCessnock GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 49 of 1281907Country HouseWoldingham SurreyEngland 
Item 50 of 1281907Maryhill Industrial SchoolMaryhill GlasgowScotlandAdditions to gardener's cottage
Item 51 of 1281907Royal HotelCampbeltown ArgyllScotland 
Item 52 of 1281907Shop for Mrs McKinlay  GlasgowScotland 
Item 53 of 1281907Walmer Crescent (part), 292-308 Paisley Road WestCessnock GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 54 of 1281907Walmer Crescent (part), 310-328 Paisley Road WestCessnock GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 55 of 1281908Anderston Public School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 56 of 1281908Govanhill Free ChurchGovanhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 57 of 128Before 1908Dennistoun BakeryDennistoun GlasgowScotlandFurther work to 1908
Item 58 of 1281909Glasgow Cancer HospitalGarnethill GlasgowScotlandRebuilding (rebuilt from nurses' accommodation of earlier hospital)
Item 59 of 1281909Workshop for W & J Martin  GlasgowScotland 
Item 60 of 128Early 1900sDomestic Science School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 61 of 1281910sDesign for a wash stand     
Item 62 of 1281910sInvergyle House, septic tankInvergyle Stirlingshire?Scotland 
Item 63 of 1281910sProperty in West Graham Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 64 of 1281910Bearsden Primary SchoolBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 65 of 1281910Bellshill Public SchoolBellshill LanarkshireScotland 
Item 66 of 1281910Design for pavilion for James Gibbs     
Item 67 of 1281910Hydepark Street School  GlasgowScotlandCompetition entry
Item 68 of 1281910Kelvin Motor Works  GlasgowScotlandIn conjunction with Walter Robert Watson
Item 69 of 128c. 1910Bakery premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 70 of 1281911DrumbegHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 71 of 1281912134-136 Buchanan Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 72 of 1281912TighnagarMonifieth AngusScotland 
Item 73 of 1281912Villa for George Duckett  GlasgowScotland 
Item 74 of 1281912Workshop for Messrs James Herbertson & Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 75 of 1281913East Chapelton HomeBearsden GlasgowScotlandInternal alterations
Item 76 of 1281913Public bar for Thomas Gebbie  GlasgowScotland 
Item 77 of 1281913The ManseMilngavie DunbartonshireScotlandProposed alterations
Item 78 of 1281914RavenswoodBridge of Weir RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 79 of 1281917Counting House for Messrs InglisPointhouse? Glasgow?Scotland 
Item 80 of 1281917New dining hall, kitchen and lavatories   Scotland 
Item 81 of 1281919Property for Messrs James Herbertson & Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 82 of 1281919Property for Richard Clay & SonsBlackfriars LondonEngland 
Item 83 of 1281920sCopeland (or Copland) & Lye premises  GlasgowScotlandAlterations to Sauchiehall Street section
Item 84 of 1281920sDesign of a window     
Item 85 of 1281920sMacFarlane Lang Biscuit FactoryTollcross GlasgowScotland 
Item 86 of 1281920Bearsden UP Church  GlasgowScotlandFurther work
Item 87 of 128After 1920(?)Factory  MauritiusMauritius 
Item 88 of 128After 1920(?)Factory for Messrs D Napier & Son Ltd, repair shopActon LondonEngland 
Item 89 of 128After 1920(?)Granny Black's Restaurant  GlasgowScotland 
Item 90 of 128After 1920(?)Tullos Factory  AberdeenScotland 
Item 91 of 128c. 1920Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic  GlasgowScotland 
Item 92 of 1281921BungalowSt Fillans PerthshireScotland 
Item 93 of 1281922Callander HydropathicCallander PerthshireScotlandInterior alterations
Item 94 of 1281922Factory for R Patterson & Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 95 of 1281924AlwynMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 96 of 1281924Milngavie and Baldernock UF ManseMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 97 of 1281924St Luke's Established Church  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction after fire
Item 98 of 1281925Victoria Bread and Biscuit Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 99 of 1281926Commercial building, Brunswick Street and Wilson Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 100 of 1281927Railings for houseMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 101 of 1281928St Andrews Ambulance Association Depot  GlasgowScotland 
Item 102 of 1281929Biscuit Works, Trafford Park,Stretford ManchesterEnglandExtension
Item 103 of 1281929Marks & Spencer store  GlasgowScotland 
Item 104 of 1281929RC College and Schools, Melville Grange FarmGilmerton EdinburghScotlandCompetition entry
Item 105 of 1281930sAir Training SchoolPrestwick AyrshireScotland 
Item 106 of 1281931Marks & Spencer storePaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 107 of 1281931Royal Bank of ScotlandBearsden GlasgowScotland 
Item 108 of 1281933Glasgow Cancer HospitalGarnethill GlasgowScotlandRebuilding?
Item 109 of 1281934Marks & Spencer storeStirling StirlingshireScotland 
Item 110 of 1281935Ambulance StationGovan GlasgowScotland 
Item 111 of 1281935Marks & Spencer storeAyr AyrshireScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 112 of 1281935Marks & Spencer storeKilmarnock AyrshireScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 113 of 1281935Marks & Spencer store  GlasgowScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 114 of 128193659-63 High StreetFalkirk StirlingshireScotland 
Item 115 of 1281936Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic  GlasgowScotlandExtension
Item 116 of 1281936Marks & Spencer store  DundeeScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 117 of 1281936Marks & Spencer store59 High Street, Falkirk StirlingshireScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 118 of 1281936Warehouse and offices for Marks and SpencerGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 119 of 1281937Aircraft Factory for Blackburn and DonnyDumbarton DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 120 of 1281937Blackburn Aircraft CompanyBrough YorkshireEnglandAdministration block and canteen
Item 121 of 1281937Premises for Ruston Bucyros LtdLincoln LincolnshireEngland 
Item 122 of 1281938Queen's College  GlasgowScotlandSubstantial additions
Item 123 of 1281938Warehouse for Marks & Spencer LtdKirkcaldy FifeScotlandIn association with Robert Lutyens
Item 124 of 128c. 1938De Haviland FactoryHatfield HertfordshireEnglandWon competition to secure job
Item 125 of 128Late 1930sAtholl Hydropathic EstablishmentPitlochry PerthshireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 126 of 128Late 1930sMarks & Spencer's store  EdinburghScotland 
Item 127 of 1281941Royal HotelCampbeltown ArgyllScotlandFurther work
Item 128 of 1281949Premises for Ruston Bucyros LtdLincoln LincolnshireEnglandExtension

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Bailey, Rebecca M1996Scottish architects' papers: a source book Edinburgh: The Rutland Pressp148
Item 2 of 4British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   
Item 3 of 4Gregory, Neil2003Monro and Partners: shopping in Scotland with Marks and Spencer Architectural Heritage, Vol XIV, pp67-85 
Item 4 of 4Who's Who in Architecture1914    

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Builder20 September 1921  Obituary of J M Monro
Item 2 of 4Glasgow Herald16 November 1945  p7 obituary p1 death notice
Item 3 of 4RIBA Journal24 September 1921 London: Royal Institute of British ArchitectsObituary of J M Monro p596
Item 4 of 4Scotsman16 November 1945  p3

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Glasgow City ArchivesMonro & Partners Collection  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A v15 p112 (microfilm reel 18); F no3776 (box 28)