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Basic Biographical Details

Name: Launcelot Hugh Ross
Designation: Architect
Born: 25 January 1885
Died: 30 January 1956
Bio Notes: Launcelot Hugh Ross was born at 2 Ferryhill Place, Old Machar, Aberdeen on 25 January 1885, the son of Finlay MacLeod Ross, drapery traveller and his wife Amy Jones. He was educated at Aberdeen Grammar School. In September 1901 he commenced his articles with the City Architect John Rust, studying at Gray's School of Art. After completing his apprenticeship he remained with Rust for seven months as assistant before moving to Glasgow in February 1907 to join the practice of Sir John James Burnet, continuing his studies at Glasgow School of Architecture. Whilst with Burnet he spent some time in the firm's London office, and in 1911 left to seek experience in other London practices, finding employment with Ashley & Newman and W J Parker and attending classes at London University before returning to Glasgow in October 1912 to commence practice on his own account at 10 Blythswood Square. He also retained an Aberdeen address at 6 Ferryhill Place as late as 1914.

During the First World War, from December 1914 until May 1919, Ross served as a staff officer. He was awarded the MC, becoming an enthusiastic Territorial after the war and a member of the Royal Company of Archers.

Ross was admitted LRIBA in early 1931 and was elected FRIBA by July the same year, his proposers on both occasions being John Keppie, Andrew Balfour and John Watson. By that time he was working from an office at 180 West Regent Street, and living at 33 Fotheringay Road, Glasgow; his travels abroad prior to that date appear to have been limited to four weeks in France. His work was strongly influenced by Thomas Smith Tait, who had remained a friend since their time working together in Burnet's London office before the First World War. Their friendship resulted in Ross being given a major role in the design and execution of the Glasgow Empire Exhibition of 1938. Ross's commitment to the Territorial Army similarly paid off handsomely during the Second World War with numerous military commissions. He was a member of the Royal Company of Archers.

Ross was married to Catherine Margaret Roxborough. He died of coronary thrombosis at 34 Queen's Gate, Glasgow/ 111 Dowanhill Street (these are the same address) on 30 January 1956, his death being reported by his brother-in-law Robert Roxborough of 44 Kingsborough Gardens. The practice, which was then based at 79 West Regent Street, was continued by his partner Archibald T Lindsay as Ross & Lindsay.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 910, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessOctober 1912After 1914 
Item 2 of 96, Ferryhill Place, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1914 *  
Item 3 of 9261, West George Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1919 *  
Item 4 of 9180, West Regent Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1924After 1931 
Item 5 of 933, Fotheringay Road/Fotheringhay Road, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1931 *  
Item 6 of 9223, West George Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1933After 1947The number appears as 221 in 1939-40
Item 7 of 979, West Regent Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1950 *After 1951 
Item 8 of 934, Queen's Gate, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1956(?) *  
Item 9 of 9111, Dowanhill Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1956(?) *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 7Launcelot H Ross & Lindsay 30 January 1956Senior Partner 
Item 2 of 7John RustSeptember 1901July 1906Apprentice 
Item 3 of 7John RustJuly 1906February 1907Assistant 
Item 4 of 7(Sir) John James Burnet19071911AssistantIn Glasgow and London offices
Item 5 of 7John Burnet & SonFebruary 19071911AssistantAlso in John James Burnet's London office during same period
Item 6 of 7Ashley & Newman19111911 or 1912Assistant 
Item 7 of 7W J Parker1911 or 19121912Assistant 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 9James Symington Houston7 July 191924 September 1924Apprentice 
Item 2 of 9James Miller1 March 19211923Apprentice 
Item 3 of 9Kenneth Finlayson Masson (or Kenneth T Masson or erroneously Manson)19271927Assistant 
Item 4 of 9Donald Forbes ArmstrongSeptember 19281934Architect 
Item 5 of 9James Murie Henderson19321936Apprentice 
Item 6 of 9Donald Forbes Armstrong19341935Junior Assistant 
Item 7 of 9William Coutts YoungsonJuly 1937October 1937Assistant 
Item 8 of 9Leslie William Rushbrook1939Late 1939Senior Assistant 
Item 9 of 9Robert George Haddon Turnbull1945After 1947Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6Andrew BalfourEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 6Andrew BalfourMid 1931for Fellowship
Item 3 of 6John KeppieEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 6John KeppieMid 1931for Fellowship
Item 5 of 6John WatsonEarly 1931for Licentiateship
Item 6 of 6John WatsonMid 1931for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 9Donald Forbes Armstrong25 June 1946For Associateship
Item 2 of 9George Arthur9 March 1936for Associateship
Item 3 of 9James Henry Gray19 July 1937for Fellowship
Item 4 of 9James Symington Houston11 December 1945for Licentiateship
Item 5 of 9Kenneth Finlayson Masson (or Kenneth T Masson or erroneously Manson)18 November 1941for Associateship
Item 6 of 9Leslie William Rushbrook14 November 1944for Licentiateship
Item 7 of 9Robert George Haddon Turnbull24 June 1947For Associateship
Item 8 of 9Annie Crawford Woodrow (Mrs Woodrow Barclay)10 January 1938for Associateship
Item 9 of 9William Coutts Youngson7 February 1938for Associateship

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 70 Church at ClydebankClydebank DunbartonshireScotlandDate unknown
Item 2 of 70 Church at GovanGovan GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 3 of 70 Houses for the Glasgow Territorial and Auxiliary Forces Association  GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 4 of 70 Housing Scheme, Howwood RoadJohnstone RenfrewshireScotlandDate unknown
Item 5 of 70 McLaren & Son  GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 6 of 70 Primary SchoolCranhill GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 7 of 70 Shop for Edward Watson, butcher  GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 8 of 70 Shop, 170 Argyle Street  GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 9 of 70 Westbourne Parish Church War Memorial  GlasgowScotlandDate unknown
Item 10 of 701912Georgic Restaurant  GlasgowScotland 
Item 11 of 701912Graham's Coffee and Smoking Room  GlasgowScotland 
Item 12 of 701912Regent Street Quadrant, 'Builder' competition design  LondonEnglandUnsuccessful competition design
Item 13 of 701912Tea Room, 213 Oxford Street  LondonEngland 
Item 14 of 70After 1912Copeland (or Copland) & Lye premises  GlasgowScotlandCafé and restaurant
Item 15 of 70After 1912HouseWhitecraigs GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 70After 1912North British & Mercantile Insurance Company Ltd  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction of offices
Item 17 of 701913Cockburn Sawmill and offices for John Weston & Company  GlasgowScotland 
Item 18 of 701920Cockburn Sawmill and offices for John Weston & Company  GlasgowScotland 
Item 19 of 701920New Colour House for Alexander Ferguson & CompanyMaryhill Glasgow?Scotland 
Item 20 of 701921Premises for Robert Graham & Company  GlasgowScotland 
Item 21 of 701921Premises in Sauchiehall Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 22 of 701921Tea rooms, Argyle Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 23 of 701922Watt & Milne's Warehouse  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 24 of 701923HousePatterton RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 25 of 70After 1923Premises for Alexander Ferguson & Co LtdMaryhill GlasgowScotlandNew buildings, and alterations to existing factories
Item 26 of 701924Ballindalloch LodgeBalfron StirlingshireScotland 
Item 27 of 701924Titwood Lawn Tennis ClubPollokshields GlasgowScotlandAddition of wings
Item 28 of 701926Auxiliary Air Force HQ  GlasgowScotlandRoss' first large commission
Item 29 of 701926Cockburn's Chemists Shop  GlasgowScotland 
Item 30 of 701926North of Scotland Bank  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction of late Georgian house with attic and mansard.
Item 31 of 701930Insurance Office  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction
Item 32 of 701930Warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 33 of 701931North of Scotland Town and County Bank  GlasgowScotland 
Item 34 of 701933BungalowNewton Mearns RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 35 of 701933Rank (?Bank), King's Park  GlasgowScotland 
Item 36 of 701934Aerated water factory for Barr & Co  GlasgowScotland 
Item 37 of 701934Copeland (or Copland) & Lye premises  GlasgowScotlandLarge new block on Bath Street - subsequently demolished
Item 38 of 701935ConistonHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandCloakroom extension
Item 39 of 701936Drumchapel Old Parish ChurchDrumchapel GlasgowScotlandReplaced 1901 church on new site
Item 40 of 701936Furniture Warehouse for James Grant & Co Ltd  DundeeScotland 
Item 41 of 701936Glasgow Empire Exhibition, masterplanBellahouston GlasgowScotlandIn independent practice, working in conjunction with Tait (formerly of the Burnet practice)
Item 42 of 701936Two Furniture Warehouses  DundeeScotland 
Item 43 of 701936Warehouse for Grant & Co, The CrossPaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 44 of 701937Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Army and Royal Air Force PavilionBellahouston GlasgowScotland 
Item 45 of 701937Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Palace of ArtBellahouston GlasgowScotlandDesigned & constructed- with Thomas Tait
Item 46 of 701937Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Palace of EngineeringBellahouston GlasgowScotlandAttributed to Ross in RIBA Journal obituary, July 1956.
Item 47 of 701937Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Tower of Empire and Treetops RestaurantBellahouston GlasgowScotlandErection of Tower to Tait's design
Item 48 of 701937Kelvin CourtAnniesland GlasgowScotlandExecuted Fatkin's designs
Item 49 of 701937Showrooms and offices for Cowden's Ideal Trading Stamp Company  GlasgowScotland 
Item 50 of 70193847 West Clyde StreetHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandAlterations to public house
Item 51 of 701938Caladh LodgeHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandBedroom wing extension and garage
Item 52 of 701938Church of ScotlandDrumchapel GlasgowScotland 
Item 53 of 701938Glasgow Empire ExhibitionBellahouston Park GlasgowScotlandPalace of Art
Item 54 of 701938Riding SchoolYorkhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 55 of 701940422-423 F/L Companies HQ   Scotland 
Item 56 of 70194057 Scottish Light Regiment HQ  GlasgowScotland 
Item 57 of 701940Drill Hall, 83rd Regiment Royal Artillery   Scotland 
Item 58 of 701940Drill hall, garages and quarters, Main StreetBridgeton GlasgowScotland 
Item 59 of 701940Premises for Alexander Ferguson & Co LtdMaryhill GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 60 of 701940Volunteer Headquarters and Drill HallYorkhill GlasgowScotlandProposed reconstruction of McNab building
Item 61 of 701941Drumchapel Old Parish ChurchDrumchapel GlasgowScotlandRebuilt church after war damage
Item 62 of 701941Proposed anti-aircraft headquarters  GlasgowScotland 
Item 63 of 701942Canteen for Fleming & FergussonPaisley RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 64 of 701946Inverclyde Hostel for SailorsGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 65 of 701947North of Scotland Bank  GlasgowScotlandFurther additions - HS imply by Ross
Item 66 of 701947Waddell Ltd Meat Factory  GlasgowScotland 
Item 67 of 701951Drumchapel Old Parish ChurchDrumchapel GlasgowScotlandFor reconstruction and additions
Item 68 of 701951(?)Glasgow Empire Exhibition, Palace of ArtBellahouston GlasgowScotlandMade permanent as community centre after the Second World War
Item 69 of 7025 April 1952Glasgow Old People's Home, Great Western Road  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 70 of 701953Primary School, Howwood RoadJohnstone RenfrewshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp1 Night view of the Glasgow Empire Exhibtion - from brochure
Item 2 of 2RIBA1930The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Builder9 March 1951  p367
Item 2 of 4Builder25 April 1952  p641
Item 3 of 4Glasgow Herald31 January 1956  Obituary
Item 4 of 4RIBA JournalJuly 1956 London: Royal Institute of British ArchitectsObituary p403

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3Courtesy of Alan BacsichInformation sent via 'Contact Us' on website Sent February 2017
Item 2 of 3Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Additional information via the website from Rosemary Lucas, granddaughter of Ross
Item 3 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no3644 (box 14); F no2935 (box 14)

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