Basic Biographical Details Name: | Samuel Edwin Duncan | Designation: | | Born: | 10 January 1899 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | Samuel Edwin Duncan was born on 10 January 1899 and articled to James Bower Bennett of 5 Hill Street, Edinburgh in September 1915. His apprenticeship was interrupted by war service but he completed it with William Nicholas Thomson of 87 Constitution Street, Leith. He studied at Heriot-Watt College and at Edinburgh College of Art under George Washington Browne. He remained with the same firm after completing his training, and became principal assistant in 1925, superintending and inspecting all work for the firm, and working principally on domestic buildings, factories, shops, stores and alterations. He was admitted LRIBA in late 1930 or early 1931, his proposers being George Washington Browne and A Nicol Bruce, the then secretary of the RIAS. In 1935 he became a partner in Thomson's firm, but he withdrew from the partnership in 1939, a year after it had been taken over by Thomson's son William Innes Thomson on the elder Thomson's death. It seems that he then entered partnership with Thomas J Harkess in Haddington.
Duncan emigrated to Cape Town South Africa in 1949 with his wife and 15 year old son. He was registered with the South African Institute of Architects in 1952. In the RIBA Directory for 1956-57 he is listed as a retired member of the RIBA and is recorded in 1959 as a retired member of the South African Institute. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 87, Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | Before 1925 | 1935(?) | | | 52, Leith Walk, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business(?) | c. 1938 | c. 1940 | As assistant to William N Thomson & Co | | 26, Fountainhall Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1949 * | | | | Brookfield/25, Grotto Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa | Private | 1950 | After 1959 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | George Washington Browne | Late 1930 or early 1931 | for Licentiateship |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | South African Institute of Architects | 1959 | South African Institute of Architects Year Book | | | Per Roger Fisher |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L no3694 (box 15) |
|