Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Thin
Designation:  
Born: c. 1765
Died: 10 January 1827
Bio Notes: John Thin lived in Edinburgh. He is associated with William Sibbald and William Henry Playfair for whom he was a draughtsman. He is known to have been involved with an unbuilt scheme of Sibbald for a church at Falkirk and he produced several designs for gateways, with lodges for Culzean and Saltoun Hall.

Thin would appear to have started as a builder. In 1806 he was responsible for a feuing plan of villas on ground near the head of Bruntsfield Links 'on the east of the house belonging to Mr William Calder'.

In 1814 Thin acted as the trustee for a glazier called John Sutherland and was involved with disposing of Sutherland's premises at the head of the Mound after the latter's death. As well as his architectural and building work Thin was a partner in Slater & Thin, a marble cutting business, which had premises in Leith Walk. The partnership was dissolved in 1814 at which point the business was advertised for sale. There were marble fireplaces in stock at this point as well as unwrought marble and utensils. However it appears that the business was not sold at this point. After Thin's death it was again advertised for sale. At the same time the patent for a 'smoke jack' was advertised for sale. This had been invented by John Thin in 1825 and, although it was invented as a kitchen roasting smoke jack, it could be adapted for any vent.

Near the end of his life Thin was in straightened circumstances and Playfair employed him as a draughtsman.

He is recorded as 'builder and architect' on his monument in the Calton Hill New Cemetery. He died on 10 January 1827 at the age of 62.

His (oldest?) son was an assistant surgeon with the 2nd Ceylon Regiment and died in July 1819. Two other sons died aged 10 and 13 respectively in 1824. His youngest son died in 1828.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Edinburgh, Scotland    
Item 2 of 2Viewforth, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1824  

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 71790sCulzean Castle Estate, Courtyard    Possible attribution. Stylistic similarity to his work.
Item 2 of 71796Culzean Castle, Cat Gates (Swinston Gate)  AyrshireScotland 
Item 3 of 71801Saltoun Hall  East LothianScotlandDesign for octagonal lodge and gateway - endorsed 'Mr Thin's plans 1801'
Item 4 of 71805Falkirk Old Parish ChurchFalkirk StirlingshireScotlandWas associated with William Sibbald senior or William Sibbald junior in abortive scheme for rebuilding the church.
Item 5 of 71810Feuing plan for villas, Stewartfield  Edinburgh  
Item 6 of 71813Warehouse, South Bridge  EdinburghScotlandPlan drawn up by Thin - working with Richard Crichton
Item 7 of 71814Kingston  East LothianScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 7Caledonian Mercury16 June 1814   
Item 2 of 7Caledonian Mercury14 November 1814   
Item 3 of 7Caledonian Mercury14 June 1824   
Item 4 of 7Caledonian Mercury14 October 1824   
Item 5 of 7Caledonian Mercury3 February 1827   
Item 6 of 7Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware's Whitehaven Adverti11 January 1820   
Item 7 of 7Fife Herald17 February 1825   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Edinburgh University LibraryPlans Playfair collection, letterbook, no 4, p239
Item 2 of 2Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register