Basic Biographical Details Name: | Donald Dex Harrison | Designation: | | Born: | 17 November 1909 | Died: | December 1987 | Bio Notes: | Donald Dex Harrison is probably not Scottish. He studied at Leeds School of Architecture from September 1926. He was exempted from the final exam and was admitted ARIBA in 1932, his proposers being Henry Vaughan Lanchester, George J Skipper and B R Gribbon. During the summer vacations while he was a student he gained experience in a variety of offices: between May and September 1930 with Bradshaw Gass & Hope in Bolton; from April to December 1931 with Lanchester & Lodge in London; and from January to September 1932 with George & Skipper in London & Norwich. In July 1929 he had won a travelling scholarship which enabled him to make tours in Italy, France and Germany.
It was at the Leeds School that he met his future partner, Ernest Seel, who also studied there. Together they entered and won the compeition for the Exhibition Hall at the Waverley Market in 1939. The partnership continued until into the 1950s. At some point in the later 1940s or early 1950s he spent some time with the Post War Building Department in the Ministry of Works.
Harrison was elected FRIBA in 1953, his prposers being F R S Yorke, A Bailey and Davidson R Juerden. the following year he met and married his wife Ruth. The couple had a son and a daughter. Ruth Harrison became a distinguished campaigner for animal rights serving as director of various associations including the Animal Defence Society and the RCPCA and was founder and chair of the Farm Animal Care Trust.
By 1967 the practice had become Dex Harrison & Partners and was located in London.
Outwith his professional life Harrison was interested in vintage cars and later on in restoring paintings and musical instruments.
He died on 15 January 1988 (see Times obituary).
Publications
'World War II and the growth of southern city planning' (Article) 1944 An article on frost damage which was published in the Builder in 1961 (Article) 'Introduction to Standards in Building' (Spron) 'Building Science' (ed for the Archival Science Board of the RIBA) (Pelance) 'A Survey of Pre-fabrication' | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | London, England | Business | 1867 | | | | Elm Road, Moor Lane, Gomersal, Yorkshire, England | Private | 1932 | | | | 38, Holland Villas Road, London, England | Business | Early 1930s | | | | 34, Holland Park Road, London, England | Business | 1953 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Harrison & Seel | | | Partner | | | Bradshaw Gass & Hope | May 1930 | September 1930 | Assistant | |
RIBARIBA Proposers
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | The Guardian | 6 July 2000 | | | Obituary of Ruth Harrison wife of Donald Dex Harrison. |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no 6878; F no4780 (Combined box 35) |
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