Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Alexander Russel Inglis
Designation:  
Born: 6 March 1870
Died: 9 June 1901
Bio Notes: John Alexander Russel Inglis was born on 6 March 1870 and served his apprenticeship in the office of James Bow Dunn from 8 March 1886, studying at Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt College and attending the 'work classes' of the Edinburgh Architectural Association under John Watson. At the end of his articles in 1891 Inglis moved first to the office of Hippolyte Jean Blanc and then to Oxford as assistant to Harry Wilkinson Moore. He passed the qualifying exam in April 1893 and spent that spring measuring and sketching at the cathedrals of Glasgow, Edinburgh and Hereford. He applied for Associateship of the RIBA later that year and was admitted on 8 January 1894, his proposers being William Leiper, Arthur Cates and Ralph Selden Wornum. In 1897 he won the Soane medallion with a design for a market hall enabling him to travel in Italy and Sicily for nearly a year before taking up his partnership. Watercolours from his travels of Sicily, Verona and Pistoia were exhibited at the RSA in 1899-1901.

In late 1897 he formed a partnership with William Williamson whom he had first met in James Bow Dunn's office where they were fellow apprentices. An office was opened in Edinburgh for him at 31 St Andrew Square. The partnership quickly made a name for high-quality Renaissance and arts and crafts work but it came at a cost. Overwork resulted in Inglis suffering from chronic insomnia and a desperate overdose of a sleeping draught resulted in his death at his home 26 Pitt Street, Edinburgh on 9 June 1901, two days before he was to be married. He left moveable estate of £10,48 5s 1d and was buried at Dean Cemetery. Williamson then closed the Edinburgh office and did not take another partner at that time.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 580, George Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1887  
Item 2 of 54, Merchiston Park, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1888  
Item 3 of 510, Albany Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1892After 1894 
Item 4 of 531, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness18971901Williamson & Inglis practice
Item 5 of 526, Pitt Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1901  

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 Bow Dunn8 March 18861891Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Hippolyte Jean Blanc1891c. 1893Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Harry Wilkinson Moorec. 1893Before 1897Assistant 
Item 4 of 4Williamson & Inglis18971901Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Arthur Cates8 January 1894for Associateship
Item 2 of 3William Leiper8 January 1894for Associateship
Item 3 of 3Ralph Selden Wornum8 January 1894for 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 161897Alexandra HouseKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 2 of 161897Design for a market hall   ScotlandSoane Medallion win
Item 3 of 161898Central ChambersKirkcaldy FifeScotlandAlterations to front etc
Item 4 of 161898Dunnikier Infant SchoolKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 5 of 161898Tenements, Lady Helen StreetKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 6 of 161899Braehead HouseKirkcaldy FifeScotlandReconstruction
Item 7 of 161899Hardengreen HouseKirkcaldy FifeScotlandAddition of north wing
Item 8 of 161899Premises of David BeatsonKirkcaldy FifeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 9 of 161899Tenement and 15 cottages, Nicol StreetKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 10 of 161900Braehead HouseKirkcaldy FifeScotlandGate lodge
Item 11 of 161900Houses in Abbotshall RoadKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 12 of 161900Parish ManseAuchtertool FifeScotlandBack wing
Item 13 of 161900Police BuildingsKirkcaldy FifeScotlandPlaced third in competition but got the job
Item 14 of 161900The CroftKirkcaldy FifeScotland 
Item 15 of 161901Anstruther Easter new public schoolAnstruther Easter FifeScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 16 of 161901Two blocks of tenementsBowhill, Auchterderran FifeScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories Sc70/1/405

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4British Architect21 June 1901  p432 Obituary
Item 2 of 4Builder22 June 1901  Obituary p603
Item 3 of 4Building News21 June 1901  p825 Obituary
Item 4 of 4RIBA Journal22 June 1901 London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp407 - Obituary

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 A v12 p72 (microfiche 54/G2)