Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Laing | Designation: | | Born: | 13 June 1752 | Died: | 1823 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Laing was probably the Alexander Laing who was born about 13 June 1752, the son Alexander Laing and his wife Margaret Davidson. He probably trained as a mason as he first practised as such but later worked as an architect. He is listed first as a mason in the 1774 Edinburgh directories. He became a member of the Royal Company of Archers in 1777 after he had built their hall. He was admitted as a burgess of Edinburgh in 1782 and from this point onwards he called himself an architect. Colvin states that his buildings were designed in a ‘plain masculine style’ without elegance or refinement but the Town Steeple in Inverness is an exception.
Laing acted as an agent in the sale of various houses in Edinburgh and may have designed a house opposite St George’s Chapel which was to be sold by public roup in late 1798/early 1799 and also acted as agent in letting St Cecilia’s Hall in 1800. In 1797 he acted as the agent for the letting or sale of a lodging opposite the Cross, High Street, Edinburgh and in 1800 acted in a similar role for houses in Middle Meal Market Stair and in Libberton's Wynd. He also acted as a measurer/inspector in the long-running court battle between Sir John Lowther Johnston and William Elliot of Kelso about work undertaken by the latter at Westerhall.
Laing must have been reasonably prosperous as he contributed to the Royal Infirmary fund in 1797 and to the House of Industry in 1801. He was appointed a manager of the Public Dispensary in 1785.
Laing married three times: first on 19 April 1772 to Charlotte Polson; second on 13 September 1786 to Margaret Turnbull; and third on 18 November 1789 to Beatrix Currie.
Laing died in Portobello on 17 September 1823.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 3, St James Square, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | Before 1800 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Andrew Petrie | c. 1813 | Before 1821 | Apprentice | Petrie was articled to 'a prominent architect builder called Lang', probably Alexander Lang |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | | | Paul, J Balfour | 1875 | History of the Royal Company of Archers | | | | | www.familysearch.org | | www.familysearch.org | | Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-Day Saints: Website | Accessed 2014 - for details of birth and marriages |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Caledonian Mercury | 2 February 1785 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 18 September 1786 | | | Marriage to Margaret Turnbull | | Caledonian Mercury | 9 February 1797 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 10 April 1797 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 13 January 1800 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 10 March 1800 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 3 May 1800 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 11 July 1801 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 24 July 1824 | | | | | Scots Magazine | 1823 | | | p512 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | NAS | SC Archives (Sc) | 70/1/29 | p787-797 |
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