Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander McGregor Mitchell
Designation:  
Born: 1842
Died: 4 October 1904
Bio Notes: Alexander McGregor Mitchell was born in 1842 and spent his early years on the Rosehall estate where his father was factor and was educated at Dundyvan Academy. His earliest known employment in building was at the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Glasgow in 1866-68, presumably as James Salmon's clerk of works. Thereafter he worked for William Shanks of Airdrie. Appointment as Master of Works to the Buchanans of Drumpelier and then architect to the Colts of Gartsherrie enabled him to open his own office in Coatbridge and obtain the appointment of burgh engineer. Eventually he became architect and surveyor to most of the estates and trusts in the Coatbridge area - including that of Mr Peddie Waddell of Balquhatston, Slamannan. In 1894, by which date the quality of the practice's work was markedly improved, Mitchell was joined by his son Alexander McGregor Mitchell Junior (born 1878) as an apprentice. He was given responsibility for the planning of tenements and small villas, and in 1899 he became chief assistant. He took full charge of the office in 1900.

Alexander McGregor Mitchell Senior died in Airdrie on 4 October 1904, leaving £6,400 19s 10d and a widow, Marion Stirling Thomson and 'large family'. His son continued the practice on his own account thereafter.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Rosehall Lodge, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, ScotlandPrivate1888  
Item 2 of 3Bank Buildings, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, ScotlandBusinessBefore 18881904 
Item 3 of 383, Aitchison Street, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, ScotlandPrivate1896 *  

* 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 2Salmon, Son & Ritchie1866(?)1868(?)Clerk 
Item 2 of 2William Shanks1868(?)Before 1894Assistant 

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 4Alexander McGregor Mitchell (junior)July 18941897Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Alexander McGregor Mitchell (junior)18971899Assistant(?) 
Item 3 of 4Alexander Robertson18981903Assistant 
Item 4 of 4Alexander McGregor Mitchell (junior)18991903 or 4 October 1904Senior Assistant 

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 141875Caldercruix Public SchoolCaldercruix LanarkshireScotland 
Item 2 of 141887Airdrie AcademyAirdrie LanarkshireScotlandAddition
Item 3 of 141888Twechar Primary SchoolTwechar DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 4 of 141890Caldercruix Parish ChurchCaldercruix LanarkshireScotland 
Item 5 of 141890Wellwynd West Parish ChurchAirdrie LanarkshireScotlandAdded porch and added new interior woodwork
Item 6 of 141894Coatbridge Municipal BuildingsCoatbridge LanarkshireScotland 
Item 7 of 141895Coatbridge Auction MarketCoatbridge LanarkshireScotland 
Item 8 of 141896St Mary RC Church and presbytery, BarrowfieldCoatbridge LanarkshireScotlandSupervised the construction
Item 9 of 141897Alexander HospitalCoatbridge LanarkshireScotland 
Item 10 of 14After 1898Blackridge Public SchoolBlackridge? West Lothian?Scotland 
Item 11 of 141900Airdrie Water Board OfficesAirdrie LanarkshireScotland 
Item 12 of 14c. 1900Kenilworth House, BlairhillCoatbridge LanarkshireScotland 
Item 13 of 14c. 1900Old Monkland PoorhouseCoatbridge LanarkshireScotlandNew ward blocks
Item 14 of 14c. 1903(?)Holy Trinity and All Saints Parish ChurchCoatdyke LanarkshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 
Item 2 of 2Peden, Allan1992The Monklands: an illustrated architectural guide RIASp54

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Airdrie and Coatbridge Advertiser8 October 1904  Obituary
Item 2 of 2Glasgow Herald5 October 1904  Short obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Additional research by Iain Paterson (birth year, death dates and addresses)