Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert Alison Crighton Simpson
Designation:  
Born: 28 June 1903
Died: 24 September 1962
Bio Notes: Robert Alison Crighton Simpson was born on 28 June 1903, the son of Walter Thorburn Simpson, tweed manufacturer, and his wife Mary Sinclair Pottinger. He was educated at Harrow School and from 1922 studied architecture at Gonville and Caius College, University of Cambridge where he graduated with a BA in Architecture. In 1924 he made a study trip to Italy. From 1925-27 he worked as an improver with James Bow Dunn. He completed his architectural studies at the Architectural Association in London from 1927-28, graduating with a diploma in architecture. He was admitted ARIBA in 1929. From 1928 he worked as an assistant with Cackett, Burns Dick & Mackellar in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and assisted W T Jones of Durham who was architect to Durham Univeristy and Durham Castle, gaining experience in conservation. From 1933 he was based in Workington, West Cumberland. During the war he served with the Royal Engineers and was involved with the reconstruction of Justicetown mansion after a fire for Colonel T S Irwin. In the late 1930s he was architect to the Cumberland & Westmorland Territorial & Auxilliary Forces Association.

By 1950 he was working in partnership with ___Oldfield and Jonathan Saul and ran the branch practice in Duns in Berwickshire. He was elected FRIBA on 8 January 1952, proposed by John Ross MacKay, Alexander Cullen, and A Match(?). John Ross McKay reported on Simpson's Nomination Paper: 'I have seen his local work for the Scottish Veteran's Association and his farm and domestic work which is of a high standard. My partner, G L A Jamieson has been associated with Simpson during his training at Cambridge and knows his practice in Cumberland and Berwickshire and has a high regard for his work and his integrity'. In the 1950s Simpson's practice both restoration, alterations and repair work as well as new houses and cottages in Cumberland, Peeblesshire and Berwickshire.

He died at Ellen Lodge, Ellenford, Lonformacus on 24 September 1962 aged 59. He was survived by his wife, Rosemary Euphemia Morrison. His son, James, is now senior partner in Simpson & Brown of Edinburgh.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Ellen Lodge, Ellenford, Longformacus, East Lothian , ScotlandPrivate 1962 
Item 2 of 243, Market Square, Duns, Berwickshire, ScotlandBusiness1950After 1954 

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 2Cackett, Burns Dick & MacKellar1928Before 1933Assistant 
Item 2 of 2Oldfield Simpson & Saul1950s Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 2Alexander Cullen (junior)8 January 1952For Fellowship
Item 2 of 2John Ross McKay8 January 1952For Fellowship

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 161935Maryport HospitalMaryport CumberlandEnglandWomen's ward and nurses' quarters
Item 2 of 161935Workington InfirnaryWorkington CumberlandEnglandX-ray department
Item 3 of 16After 1935Co-operative Society bakeryWorkington CumberlandEngland 
Item 4 of 16After 1935Housing schemeCockermouth CumberlandEngland 
Item 5 of 16After 1935Housing schemeMaryport CumberlandEngland 
Item 6 of 16After 1935Keswick Cottage HospitalKeswick CumberlandEnglandChildren's ward and nurses' home
Item 7 of 16After 1935Wigton Drill HallWigton CumberlandEngland 
Item 8 of 161939Justicetown Mansion HouseJusticetown CumberlandEnglandReconstruction after fire
Item 9 of 161946Belle Isle HouseLake Windermere CumberlandEnglandReinstatement and repairs
Item 10 of 16After 1946Kimmerghame House, and lodgeDuns BerwickshireScotlandReplacement and additions after fire
Item 11 of 16After 1951Cottages for the Scottish Veterans Garden City AssociationDuns BerwickshireEngland 
Item 12 of 16After 1951Cottages for the Scottish Veterans Garden City AssociationEyemouth BerwickshireScotland 
Item 13 of 16After 1951Cottages for the Scottish Veterans Garden City AssociationJuniper Green EdinburghScotland 
Item 14 of 16After 1951Dunbar Parish ChurchDunbar East LothianScotlandWar memorial oak screen
Item 15 of 16After 1951Leithenwater Farm  PeeblesshireEnglandAlterations to farm, new cottages for shepherd and steadings
Item 16 of 16After 1951Royal HospitalBerwick-upon-Tweed NorthumberlandEnglandOutpatients department

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 2 of 2RIBA1954RIBA Kalendar 1953-54   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1H M Register HouseDeath Register