Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander McRobie
Designation:  
Born: 22 October 1913
Died: 13 October 1992
Bio Notes: Alexander McRobie was born in Torry, Aberdeen on 22 October 1913, the son of Patrick Joseph McRobie, general labourer, and his wife, Jane Barnet. From 1930 to 1935 he was articled to D & J R McMillan. At the same time he took the part-time Certificate Course at Aberdeen School of Architecture. He was awarded his certificate in 1936. He continued his studies privately for the final exam while working in the City Architect's Office in Aberdeen. During the Second World War he served with the army but was invalided out following a serious back injury sustained when the troop ship he was travelling on was torpedoed off the west coast of ***. After he had recovered he returned to his previous post with Aberdeen City Architect's Department. In 1944 he moved to Edinburgh to a post as assistant with the Department of Health for Scotland. He passed the final exam in 1944 and was admitted ARIBA in 1945. His proposers were Alexander Buchanan Gardner, John Ross McKay and Thomas Forbes Maclennan. He was described by Gardner at this time as 'a competent and skilful architect'. McRobie was the first in his family to have any advanced education or training.

After a spell working in Dublin where he was involved in the reconstruction of Dublin Castle he returned to Edinburgh. In 1950 his address was in Learmonth Grove, Edinburgh. He later moved to work for Glenrothes New Town Development Corporation.

He was elected ARIAS in 1956. He was later in independent practice working with Peter Whiston and Spike Williams and at the same time was a lecturer in architecture at Edinburgh College of Art, which he gave up at the time of his retirement and resignation from the RIBA in 1977.

He died on 13 October 1992 at the Eastern General Hospital, Edinburgh. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth Helen Duff and his daughter Patricia.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 429, Edinburgh Road, Musselburgh, Midlothian, ScotlandPrivate 1992 
Item 2 of 447, Glenbervie Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1945 *  
Item 3 of 453, Learmonth Grove, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1950 *  
Item 4 of 431, Edinburgh Road, Musselburgh, Midlothian, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1970 *After 1977 

* 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 5Glenrothes Development Corporation (or Glenrothes New Town Development Corporation)  Architect 
Item 2 of 5D & J R McMillan19301935Apprentice 
Item 3 of 5Aberdeen City Architect's Department (later City of Aberdeen District Council Architects Division)19361939Assistant 
Item 4 of 5Aberdeen City Architect's Department (later City of Aberdeen District Council Architects Division)1940s Assistant 
Item 5 of 5Department of Health for Scotland (Scottish Board of Health; later Scottish Development Department)1944 Architect 

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 11932Bon Accord Baths  AberdeenScotlandAs senior assistant in the City Architect's Department - said to be mainly responsible for the design

References

Bibliographic References

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

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1School of Architecture, Garthdee, Aberdeen, RGIT: former pupils, 1937-1970Galletly, James