Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Robertson | Designation: | | Born: | 17 September 1907 | Died: | 24 October 1972 | Bio Notes: | James Robertson was born on 17 September 1907, the son of James Robertson, cooper, and his wife, Isabella Cormack. He studied at the School of Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art under John Begg from 1928; it is not known if or where he sought office training. In 1932 he entered the office of Sinclair Macdonald & Sons in Thurso, where he spent a year. In 1934 he joined the office of Leslie Grahame-Thomson, and he was still there when he was admitted ARIBA on 13 May 1935, his proposers being Begg, Arthur Forman Balfour Paul and Frank Charles Mears. His nomination papers state that prior to that time he had spent three months travelling and studying abroad; his declaration accepting his admittance was witnessed by fellow architect David Gardiner Hardie of Manse of Cockpen, Bonnyrigg.
He subsequently practised independently, and formed a brief partnership with Esme Gordon in the late 1930s, but had disappeared from Post Office directories before 1940. He was living in Edinburgh (perhaps after a spell elsewhere?) in 1950 when his address is given as 4 Wemyss Place.
He died on 24 October 1972 at the Cottage Hospital, Crieff. He was survived by his wife Margaret Ferenback. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | St Joseph's Cottage, Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland | Private | | 1972 | | | 63, North Castle Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1935 * | After 1939 | | | 34, Castle Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1937 | c. 1940 | In partnership with Esme Gordon | | 4, Wemyss Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | Before 1950 | After 1964 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | John Michael Fox | After 1933 | Before 1937 | Assistant | Gave 'periodical assistance' | | Kenneth Mathison Young | 1934 | 1935 | Assistant | |
RIBARIBA Proposers
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 1938 | Tanfield Primary School | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design (unsuccessful) (information provided to DMW by Alexander Esmé Gordon in response to questionnaire in the 1980s) |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | | | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no5753 (combined box 98) |
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