Basic Biographical Details

Name: John & Charles Wilson
Designation:  
Born: 1837
Died: 1839
Bio Notes: Charles Wilson was born on 19 June 1810, probably in Glasgow, the younger son of Thomas (or John - there is a conflict of information in sources) Wilson, a Glasgow master mason and builder, and Margaret Lambie. He worked for his father for several years prior to being articled to David Hamilton in 1827. In the Hamiltons' combined house and office at 235 Buchanan Street, Wilson became in Gildard's words 'a favourite pupil' and was given free access to Hamilton's excellent library. There he worked on Hamilton Palace, the Royal Exchange, Toward Castle, the Normal School, Lennox Castle and Campsie Parish Church at Lennoxtown. His work at Hamilton Palace probably enabled him to study the collection of drawings commissioned for the Palace by the 10th Duke of Hamilton in Italy and France, notably from Percier and Fontaine: these may well have had some bearing on the sophistication ('feminine elegance' as Gildard described it) of his subsequent classical work in independent practice.

Wilson remained with Hamilton as principal assistant from 1833 for a time working with Hamilton's son James on Lennox Castle, the neo-Norman style of which was to influence some of his early church work. In 1837 he left to take over his father's business, his elder brother John being made senior partner at his father's insistence, the firm name being John & Charles Wilson, architects and builders. But as Gildard put it, John was the 'back seat' man in the business and in 1839 their partnership was dissolved, Charles thereafter practising only as an architect from 41 George Square.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness   

Employment and Training

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 2Charles Wilson18371839Partner 
Item 2 of 2John Wilson (junior)18371839Senior Partner 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Gildard, Thomas1895An Old Glasgow Architect on some Older OnesXXVIProceedings of the Royal Philosophical Society of Glasgow