Basic Biographical Details

Name: George Bennett Mitchell & Son
Designation:  
Born: 1929
Died:  
Bio Notes: George Bennett Mitchell was born on 27 November 1865 and educated in Aberdeen and Newburgh. He was articled to Pirie & Clyne in 1881 and joined the practice of Jenkins & Marr as assistant on completing his apprenticeship. He remained with them until 1887 when he was appointed architect in the surveyors' department of Davidson & Garden, advocates (i.e. solicitors), Aberdeen. While there he carried out a great deal of work on the Dunecht estate for A C Pirie, both at the house and in the village, and was allowed to undertake a few small private commissions in his own name. During these early years he made several visits to France and Italy.

On leaving Davidson & Garden, Mitchell opened his own practice at 148 Union Street; the exact date for this is uncertain as Mitchell himself gives dates varying from 1898 to 1 January 1903 and 1 January 1904 in different documents. His business mainly consisted of country house work and villas and cottages for the estates with which he had become acquainted through his work with Davidson & Garden. In 1913 Mitchell's son George Angus Mitchell (born on his father's thirty-first birthday and educated at Aberdeen Grammar School) entered the practice as an apprentice, and was one of the first two students to enrol at Aberdeen School of Architecture when it opened in 1913. His training was interrupted in 1915 when he commenced war service as a subaltern in the Highland Divisional Engineers; he served in Palestine and France with the 52nd Lowland Divisional Engineers, reaching the rank of Honorary Colonel, and returned to his father's office on his demobilisation in 1919, completing his diploma course the following year. He practised in association with his father from 1921. The practice moved from 148 Union Street to 1 West Craibstone Street in 1922 and George Angus became a partner in 1929, the firm name becoming George Bennett Mitchell & Son.

George Angus Mitchell was elected FRIBA in late 1930, his proposers being Clement George, James Brown Nicol and George Watt. This may have prompted his father to seek RIBA membership, as he applied for Licentiateship immediately and was admitted at the beginning of 1931, his proposers being George, Nicol and William Liddle Duncan; and in May of the same year he too became a Fellow, with the support of the RIBA Council as a whole. By this time George Bennett had been awarded an MBE; he was also a Justice of the Peace, and had acted as District Civil Commissioner at the time of the General Strike in 1926.

George Bennett Mitchell's main interest outside the office was the Boy's Brigade, of which he became Commander and President of the Aberdeen Battalion in 1906. His concerns for social welfare were further manifested in his work as Red Cross Transport Officer in Aberdeen during the First World War. He was also a devoted churchman, being a lifelong member of the West Church of St Andrew, of which he was an elder for over forty years. From at least 1914 he had a country residence at Cean-na-coil, Aboyne, one of the several houses he designed there, as well as his Aberdeen house at 4 Deemount Terrace and later at 18 Rubislaw Terrace.

George Angus Mitchell continued to be active in military circles after the First World War, taking command of the 139th Field Park Company (TA) with the rank of Captain in 1924 and taking over 236 Field Company as a Major in 1928. He was promoted to lieutenant-colonel on the outbreak of the Second World War and became CRE 9th Divisional Engineers, CRE North Highland Area and CRE Lothian and Border Area.

The elder Mitchell was taken ill in October 1940 whilst working as Divisional Food Officer for the North-East of Scotland, a position he had taken on in 1938 when hostilities were imminent. He underwent an operation involving the amputation of a leg, and resigned from the Food Office shortly afterwards. He died at his home on 22 March 1941. He was survived by his son and his daughter Meta, who like him took a leading part in youth welfare work in the area. His wife had predeceased him some years earlier.

George Angus Mitchell inherited the practice, returning to it on his release from war service in June 1945 and continuing it under the existing name of George Bennett Mitchell & Son.

The younger Mitchell was President of the Aberdeen branch of the RE Old Comrades Association for some years before 1958; President of the Aberdeen Rotary Club from 1947 to 1948; and President of the Aberdeen Chapter of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland in 1939, 1947 and 1949. Like his father, he was a lifelong member of the West Church of St Andrew, becoming a deacon in 1921 and an elder in 1939. In the later 1940s John Lamb was taken into partnership, followed in the later 1950s by Gordon Taylor and by Robert Alexander in 1971 and Alan Hamilton in 1976.

George Angus Mitchell retired to Newburgh in 1962 and died there at his home, Thornhill, on 6 December 1964. He was survived by his wife Alice Jones and two married daughters.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 11, West Craibstone Street, Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1929After 1981 

Employment and Training

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 20Richard Rennie Alexander19201926ApprenticeThree years full-time, the rest presumably part-time
Item 2 of 20George Johnstone AndersonAfter 1928Before 1934Apprentice(?)holiday work while studying
Item 3 of 20William Peter (junior)1929After 1933Senior Assistant 
Item 4 of 20George Bennett Mitchell19291941Senior Partner 
Item 5 of 20George Angus Mitchell1929Before 1964Partner 
Item 6 of 20John Ross CheyneSeptember 1929September 1934Apprentice 
Item 7 of 20John Watson Masson juniorLate 1920s Apprentice 
Item 8 of 20James Rattray Riddell19301931Assistant 
Item 9 of 20Isobel Margaret Gordon (Mrs Adams)19301933Apprentice 
Item 10 of 20Duncan James Johnston WrightAfter 1932Before 1938Apprentice(?)worked in this office during studies
Item 11 of 20Archibald Ernest Bennett19331936Assistant 
Item 12 of 20William Coutts Youngson19341936Apprentice 
Item 13 of 20John Ross CheyneJuly 1936September 1936Assistant 
Item 14 of 20Edward Mackie McIntyreSeptember 1936Late 1930sApprentice 
Item 15 of 20John LambLate 1940sAfter 1975Partner 
Item 16 of 20Arthur Lyall (or Lysall) Chisholm Lemon1950 * Assistant 
Item 17 of 20Richard Gemmill Jones30 June 195030 November 1954Assistant 
Item 18 of 20Gordon TaylorLate 1950s1970sPartner 
Item 19 of 20Robert Roger Alexander1971After 1981Partner 
Item 20 of 20Henry Alan Shanks Hamilton1976After 1994Partner 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

RIBA

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 1Isobel Margaret Gordon (Mrs Adams)3 December 1934for Associateship

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 1321927Parish ChurchKirkton of Slains AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and church re-orientated
Item 2 of 1321929Craigendinnie HouseAboyne AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction and alterations
Item 3 of 1321929Fetlar Parish Church Manse FetlarShetlandScotlandRepairs
Item 4 of 1321929House for Reverend Herbert ReidGourock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 5 of 1321929Littlewood ParkAlford AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction
Item 6 of 1321929Park FarmKinsteary Estate NairnshireScotlandRestoration of farm buildings
Item 7 of 1321929St Margaret's School  AberdeenScotlandAdition of laboratory block, new hall and link corridor, and sports pavilion
Item 8 of 132After 1929Glenluie HouseBallater AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 9 of 132c. 1929Alford Higher Grade SchoolhouseAlford AberdeenshireScotlandNew school
Item 10 of 132c. 1929St Moluag's Church ManseTarland AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 11 of 132c. 1929Tarland SchoolTarland AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 12 of 1321930sChalmers HospitalBanff BanffshireScotlandNurses' home? - also glass porch at nurses home, boiler, and electric plant and other additions
Item 13 of 1321930BalnagowanAboyne AberdeenshireScotlandNew house and outbuildings
Item 14 of 1321930Benmohr, House for Dr George MitchellInsch AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 15 of 1321930Birse and Feughside Parish ChurchFinzean AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 16 of 1321930Birse Parish Church ManseBirse AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 17 of 1321930Haddo HouseHaddo/Methlick AberdeenshireScotlandRenovation and reconstruction of west wing after fire and alterations to south wing
Item 18 of 1321930House and Outhouse on St Eunan's Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 19 of 1321930House for Thomas Ayrton, Springfield Avenue  AberdeenScotland 
Item 20 of 1321930O'Neill Corse Primary School and SchoolhouseCorse? AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and new classroom block
Item 21 of 1321930Old Semeil SchoolOld Semeil AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 22 of 1321930Ruthin Castle  ClwydWalesFurther work
Item 23 of 1321930SchoolTyrie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 24 of 132c. 1930Aberdeen Municipal Buildings and Tolbooth  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 25 of 132c. 1930Church of ScotlandBucksburn AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 26 of 132c. 1930Midmar ManseMidmar AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations including water supply
Item 27 of 132c. 1930Nether Balfour Cottages, Single and Double Cottar Houses, Littlewood EstateLittlewood Estate, Alford AberdeenScotland 
Item 28 of 132c. 1930North Church  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and repairs
Item 29 of 132c. 1930Park Hall, DrumoakDrumoak AberdeenshireScotlandRole unknown
Item 30 of 132c. 1930Roadside CottageCandacraig Estate AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 31 of 1321931All Saints' Episcopal Church of Scotland and Church HallHilton AberdeenScotland 
Item 32 of 1321931Fyvie (new) SchoolFyvie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 33 of 1321931Nairn Town and County Hospital Maternity BlockNairn NairnshireScotland 
Item 34 of 1321931Shethin, Shethin FarmEast of Haddo AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration after fire
Item 35 of 132193219 Fonthill Terrace  AberdeenScotlandAddition of bathroom
Item 36 of 1321932Ardhuncart LodgeAlford AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations to main house and estate buildings
Item 37 of 1321932Cottar House, Tollhouse, HowmillmossatToll o'Mossat, Alford AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 38 of 1321932Double Cottar House, Edinbanchory Cottages, Littlewood EstateLittlewood Estate, Alford AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 39 of 1321932House for Mrs J C FentonBallater AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 40 of 1321932Lossiemouth Free ChurchLossiemouth MorayshireScotlandReconstruction
Item 41 of 1321932Newe Arms HotelStrathdon AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 42 of 1321932Royal Mental Hospital  AberdeenScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 43 of 1321932Skene Parish ChurchSkene AberdeenshireScotlandInterior remodelled
Item 44 of 132c. 1932St Fitticks Church HallsTorry AberdeenScotlandNew halls
Item 45 of 1321933Alexander Scott's HospitalHuntly AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 46 of 1321933Bungalow at Balgonie/BeauvaisBallater AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 47 of 1321933Cromleybank, Comely Bank FarmEllon AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration of mill and byre after fire
Item 48 of 1321933Double villa, Queen's Road  AberdeenScotlandAdditions and alterations, converting it into single villa
Item 49 of 1321933HowmillLittlewood Estate, Alford AberdeenshireScotlandNew porch
Item 50 of 1321933Peterhead AcademyPeterhead AberdeenshireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 51 of 1321933School at InschInsch AberdeenshireScotlandExtension and alterations
Item 52 of 1321933St Fergus's ChurchGlamis AngusScotlandRestoration, alteration and additions
Item 53 of 1321933St Gerardine's Church and hallLossiemouth MorayshireScotlandRestoration
Item 54 of 132c. 1933BalgonieBallater AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations to main house
Item 55 of 1321934Birse Parish ChurchBirse AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction
Item 56 of 1321934Church Halls  Aberdeen  
Item 57 of 1321934Culter HousePeterculter AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 58 of 1321934Dower House, Pittodrie EstatePittodrie Estate AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 59 of 1321934Inverernan House and StablesStrathdon AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction of house and conversion of stables into garage
Item 60 of 1321934Old House of Glack and New House of Glack  AberdeenshireScotlandAddition of rear two-storey wing of Old House of Glack, male hospital, hall chapel and occupational therapy; conversion of steading
Item 61 of 1321934Super Cinema  DundeeScotland 
Item 62 of 1321935Claud Hamilton Ltd Car Showroom and Offices, Union Row  AberdeenScotland 
Item 63 of 1321935Fraserburgh Free ChurchFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotlandChurch hall
Item 64 of 1321935Fraserburgh South Church HallFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 65 of 1321935Ian Charles HospitalGrantown-on-Spey MorayshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 66 of 1321935Inverernan Farm and Offices, Forbes LodgeStrathdon AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations to farm steading block, etc
Item 67 of 1321935Premises for Menzies & Sons Ltd Outfitters, George Street  AberdeenScotlandReconstruction
Item 68 of 1321935WhitehouseAlford|Tough AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration after fire
Item 69 of 1321935Woodside South Parish ChurchWoodside AberdeenScotlandRenovation
Item 70 of 1321936Boots the Pharmacist, Union Street  AberdeenScotlandReconstruction
Item 71 of 1321936House on Woodburn Avenue  AberdeenScotland 
Item 72 of 1321936John Knox Established ChurchMounthooly AberdeenScotland 
Item 73 of 1321936Linmoor Convalescent HomePeterculter Aberdeenshire/KincardineshireScotlandExtension
Item 74 of 1321936Liverpool Insurance Company  AberdeenScotland 
Item 75 of 1321936Murtle Den HouseMurtle AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations: lighting, heating and drainage
Item 76 of 1321936Pitcaple HallLogie Durno AberdeenshireScotlandUnspecified work
Item 77 of 1321936Proposed Doctor's House, House of DaviotInverurie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 78 of 1321936Rothienorman New Parish ChurchRothienorman AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 79 of 1321936Rothienorman Parish Church ManseRothienorman AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 80 of 1321936St Machar's Parish Church and Church HallAboyne AberdeenshireScotlandPlan of heating layout
Item 81 of 1321937Aberdeen Parish Council Offices  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 82 of 1321937Bridge over the River DeeAboyne AberdeenshireScotlandDesign overall by F A Macdonald & Partners but Bennet Mitchell responsible for architectural treatment
Item 83 of 1321937Garage on Gladstone Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 84 of 1321937Glass School and SchoolhouseGlass AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions or new school
Item 85 of 1321937House for the Misses NicolCults AberdeenScotland 
Item 86 of 1321937House on Robert StreetStonehaven KincardineshireScotland 
Item 87 of 1321937Mausoleum at Littlewood EstateLittlewood Estate, Alford AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 88 of 1321937Old Bridge Croft, Littlewood EstateLittlewood Estate, Alford AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 89 of 1321937Shop for Reid & Pearson, St Nicholas Street and Schoolhill  AberdeenScotlandExtension
Item 90 of 1321937St Mary's Parish Church hallBanff BanffshireScotland 
Item 91 of 132c. 1937Invermossat Cottages, Cottar House East and Cottar House West, Littlewood EstateLittlewood Estate, Alford AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 92 of 1321938House for Dr ScottBanchory KincardineshireScotland 
Item 93 of 1321938Keith HallInverurie AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 94 of 1321938Logie-Coldstone Public SchoolLogie-Coldstone AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 95 of 1321938Torphins Higher Grade School and SchoolhouseTorphins AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 96 of 1321939Braemar SchoolBraemar AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 97 of 1321939Church of Scotland at Middlefield  AberdeenScotland 
Item 98 of 1321939Farmhouse, Park of Brux, Mossat, Littlewood EstateLittlewood Estate AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 99 of 1321939House for J B LeonardCulter AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 100 of 1321939House for Mrs MacKenzieAboyne AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 101 of 1321939National Bank of Scotland, Peterhead BranchPeterhead AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 102 of 1321939Trinity Hall  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 103 of 132c. 1939National Bank of Scotland, Fraserburgh BranchFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations
Item 104 of 1321949Stockethill ChurchStockethill AberdeenScotland 
Item 105 of 1321952Bellie KirkFochabers MorayshireScotlandRestoration
Item 106 of 1321952Church and manse, Northfield  AberdeenScotlandNew build
Item 107 of 1321952King's CollegeOld Aberdeen AberdeenScotlandWing connecting Library to Elphinstone Hall
Item 108 of 1321954Old Meldrum Parish ChurchOld Meldrum / Oldmeldrum AberdeenshireScotlandInterior recast
Item 109 of 13215 January 1954Premises of Scottish Agricultural Industries Ltd, Frederick Street  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 110 of 1321956King's College, Elphinstone Hall  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 111 of 1325 April 1957Library Buildings, University of Aberdeen (King's College)  AberdeenScotlandper Builder p656
Item 112 of 1321958St ColmDaviot AberdeenshireScotlandChurch re-orientated
Item 113 of 132Before 1962Hospital for Sick Children  AberdeenScotlandExtensions
Item 114 of 132Before 1962King's College, Botany Department  AberdeenScotlandExtensions
Item 115 of 132Before 1962King's College, Forestry Department  AberdeenScotlandExtensions
Item 116 of 1321964Udny Castle with lodge and gates  AberdeenshireScotlandWardrop's additions demolished and original structure restored
Item 117 of 1321966Balfluig Castle  AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration
Item 118 of 1321966Inchdrewer Castle  BanffshireScotlandRebuilt and reroofed for residential use; interior not completed (John Lamb responsible)
Item 119 of 132After 1967Linmoor Convalescent HomePeterculter Aberdeenshire/KincardineshireScotlandExtensions
Item 120 of 1321970sAmerican School of Aberdeen, gymnasium  AberdeenScotland 
Item 121 of 1321970sDalneigh HostelInverness Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 122 of 1321970sHealth CentreInvergordon Ross & CromartyScotland 
Item 123 of 1321970sHealth CentreAlness Ross & CromartyScotland 
Item 124 of 1321970sInverness District AsylumInverness Inverness-shireScotlandNew kitchen
Item 125 of 1321970sPrince Charles Barracks  AberdeenScotland 
Item 126 of 1321970sWarehouse and office development for Hudsons Property and Estates  AberdeenScotland 
Item 127 of 1321974Coulhill Primary SchoolAlness Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 128 of 1321974Dingwall AcademyDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandAdditions
Item 129 of 132c. 1980Bristol & West Building SocietyElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 130 of 132c. 1980Development for Clydesdale Bank  AberdeenScotland 
Item 131 of 132c. 1980Royal Bank of Scotland branches  AberdeenScotlandExtensions
Item 132 of 132c. 1981City Hospital  AberdeenScotland30-bed geriatric unit

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 Presspp98-99
Item 2 of 4Gregory, Neil2001George Bennett Mitchell and Son: A Very Aberdonian PracticeNovember 2001Leopard Magazine, November 2001 
Item 3 of 4Gregory, Neil2001Scottish Architects' Papers Preservation ProjectWinterAHSS 
Item 4 of 4Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Aberdeen Evening Express7 December 1964  Obituary of George Angus Mitchell
Item 2 of 6Aberdeen Press and Journal24 March 1941  Obituary of George Bennett Mitchell
Item 3 of 6Aberdeen Press and Journal8 December 1964  Obituary of George Angus Mitchell
Item 4 of 6Builder27 June 1952  p988
Item 5 of 6Builder15 January 1954  p161
Item 6 of 6Builder30 July 1954  p198

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSScottish Architects Papers Preservation Project essays Collection essay