Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Sibbald
Designation:  
Born: 1760s(?)
Died: 29 March 1809
Bio Notes: William Sibbald was born in probably in the 1760s or earlier as he obtained the responsible post of Superintendent of Public Works in Edinburgh in January 1790. He seems to have begun his career in Inverness as the Heritors of St Cuthbert’s for whom he chose the plan for a new manse in 1793 describe him as ‘William Sibbald Surveyor and Builder late of Inverness’. He was probably the ‘William Sibbald mason’ who became a burgess of Edinburgh in August 1794. In 1802 he collaborated with Robert Reid in the layout of the first extension of Edinburgh’s New Town. The land here was owned by the Heriot’s Trust for whom he acted as surveyor and overseer and he was active in making surveys and laying out the new streets. Reid seems to have been responsible for the elevations.

Sibbald seems to have collaborated with a builder called William Lumley who died in 1808.

Sibbald died on 29 March 1809. He was survived by a son also William who was also an 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 91785St Andrew's Parish Church  EdinburghScotlandReceived premium of 10 guineas for the best design of the steeple to be added to church.
Item 2 of 9c. 1799Beechwood HouseCorstorphine (near) EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 9180214 Heriot Row  Edinburgh 1-19 Heriot Row
Nos 13 and 14 are traditionally said to be the first houses built in the Second New Town (HS Listing)
Item 4 of 91802New Town, northern extension  EdinburghScotlandPlans drawn up in conjuntion with Robert Reid
Item 5 of 91803Lady Yester's Church  EdinburghScotlandNeo-Jacobean design
Item 6 of 91805Falkirk Old Parish ChurchFalkirk StirlingshireScotlandScheme for re-building the church - not accepted.
Item 7 of 91805Portobello BathsPortobello EdinburghScotland 
Item 8 of 91805St Michael's Parish ChurchInveresk MidlothianScotlandSteeple. No documentary evidence to support this attribution - other than stylistic similarity to St Andrew's, George Street.
Item 9 of 91808Portobello Old Parish ChurchPortobello EdinburghScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 2Youngson, A J1966The Making of Classical Edinburgh Edinburgh University Presspp206-207

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scots Magazine1809lxxi p309

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Edinburgh City ArchivesEdinburgh Town Council Minutes  
Item 2 of 2NAS National Archives of ScotlandRecords with prefix CCCC 8/8/138, f.487