Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Caldwell Thomson
Designation:  
Born: 1873
Died: 5 October 1925
Bio Notes: Alexander Caldwell Thomson was born in Paisley in 1873 and was articled there to James Donald in March 1889 and studied at Paisley School of Art under James Anderson and Charles Hughs, but during his articles he transferred to the office of Alexander Skirving in Glasgow, probably in order to make study at Glasgow School of Art more practicable. Since Donald and Skirving were both former pupils and assistants of Alexander Thomson the arrangement was probably an amicable one. Thomson left Skirving's office to become chief assistant to James Kennedy Hunter of Ayr in 1896 and remained with him until April 1904 when he commenced independent practice in Ayr. He was admitted LRIBA on 22 April 1912, his proposers being James Archibald Morris and William Cowie, also of Ayr. His address was then Wellington Chambers, and his independent practice prior to that time amounted to a total value of some £80,000.

Thomson died on 5 October 1925.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Wellington Chambers/62-72, Fort Street, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1909After 1921 
Item 2 of 2Franklin Villa, Ayr, Ayrshire, ScotlandPrivate1912 *1925 

* 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 4James DonaldMarch 1889Before 1896Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Alexander SkirvingAfter 18891896Apprentice 
Item 3 of 4Morris & Hunter18961896Assistant 
Item 4 of 4James Kennedy Hunter1896April 1904Assistant 

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 2Robert Govan LindsayFebruary 1915c. 1919Apprentice 
Item 2 of 2Robert Govan Lindsayc. 1919January 1921Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 2William Cowie22 April 1912for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 2James Archibald Morris22 April 1912for 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 291895Photographic StudioPaisley RenfrewshireScotlandPlans dated
Item 2 of 291896115 George StreetPaisley RenfrewshireScotlandAlterations
Item 3 of 291896Industrial School for GirlsAyr AyrshireScotlandAs assistant to James Kennedy Hunter
Item 4 of 291899Ceannacroc LodgeGlenmoriston Inverness-shireScotlandAs assistant to James Kennedy Hunter
Item 5 of 291901Dunskey HousePortpatrick WigtownshireScotlandAs assistant to James Kennedy Hunter
Item 6 of 291901Templetonburn HouseCrookedholm (by), Kilmarnock AyrshireScotlandAs assistant to James Kennedy Hunter
Item 7 of 29After 1904Coylton Parish ChurchCoylton AyrshireScotlandRestoration
Item 8 of 29After 1904SchoolAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 9 of 29After 1904Shooting LodgeBallantrae AyrshireScotlandAdditions
Item 10 of 29After 1904The NeukAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 11 of 29After 1904The ShielingLinlinthgow West LothianScotland 
Item 12 of 29After 1904Two hallsAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 13 of 29After 1904WestlandsAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 14 of 29c. 1904Portpatrick HotelPortpatrick WigtownshireScotlandAs assistant to James Kennedy Hunter
Item 15 of 291905The GablesAyr AyrshireScotlandAs assistant to James Kennedy Hunter
Item 16 of 291909Claud Hamilton Memorial HallCoylton AyrshireScotland 
Item 17 of 291909Congleton Hall  AyrshireScotland 
Item 18 of 291909Ochiltree SchoolOchiltree AyrshireScotland 
Item 19 of 291909Residence AuchinleckAuchinleck AyrshireScotland 
Item 20 of 29c. 1909Sinclairston SchoolOchiltree AyrshireScotland 
Item 21 of 291910Whitletts SchoolWallacetown AyrshireScotland 
Item 22 of 29c. 1910SchoolSinclairston AyrshireScotlandAddition
Item 23 of 291913Ladybar SchoolGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 24 of 291914Kerse School  AyrshireScotland 
Item 25 of 291916Auchinleck SchoolAuchinleck AyrshireScotland 
Item 26 of 29Before 1918Ladyburn SchoolGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 27 of 291921Police StationGirvan AyrshireScotland 
Item 28 of 29Before 1925Cottage development, BellevaleAlloway AyrshireScotland 
Item 29 of 291926Mauchline War MemorialMauchline AyrshireScotland 

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIBA Journal21 November 1925 London: Royal Institute of British Architectspp57, 64 Obituary
Item 2 of 2Scotsman7 October 1925  p2. Death notice

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L v23 no1818