Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Smeaton Robertson
Designation:  
Born: 31 August 1882
Died:  
Bio Notes: Alexander Smeaton Robertson was born in Monifieth, the son of Alexander Robertson, an accountant with the Union Bank of Scotland, and his wife Mary Madelane Duncan who had married in 1880. He articled to George Penrose Kennedy Young of Perth from 1900 to 1904, attending classes at Dundee Technical School and becoming a student member of the Dundee Institute of Architecture, Science and Art. During his training he took part in design and measured drawing competitions. In 1905 he moved to Manchester to take up a post as assistant to Waddington, Son & Dunkerley, but he left a year later to enter the office of Edwin Landseer Lutyens in London. Whilst there he undertook several sketching and measuring tours, visiting St Mary's, Beverley; Temple Balsall Church, Warwickshire; and Dunblane Cathedral. He also travelled to France.

In 1909 Robertson went to the USA where he worked as assistant to D H Burnham & Co in Chicago. He left that office in 1910 and his movements over the following two years are not known, but in 1912 he was appointed an architect in the Department of Works and Railways in Melbourne, Australia.

Robertson served with the Australian Imperial Force as a Captain in the 21st Battalion during the First World War, but returned to his previous position in Melbourne thereafter. He was still there when he was admitted ARIBA in early to mid-1922, his proposers being Kinsley Anketell Henderson (President of the Royal Victorian Institute of Architects), the Secretary of the same Institute, and Rodney Howard Alsop, Henderson's partner. Robertson had already become and Associate of the RVIA by that time.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1Chiselhurst/10, The Avenue, Windsor, Melbourne, AustraliaPrivate1922 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4George Penrose Kennedy Young19001904Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Waddington, Son & Dunkerley19051906Assistant 
Item 3 of 4D H Burnham & Co19091910Assistant 
Item 4 of 4Department of Works and Railways, Melbourne1912After 1922ArchitectWith the exception of war service, 1914-19

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 2Rodney Howard AlsopEarly 1922 or mid 1922for Associateship
Item 2 of 2Kinsley Anketell HendersonEarly 1922 or mid 1922for Associateship

References

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no3481 (microfilm reel 26)