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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Edinburgh, Scotland | | | | | | Viewforth, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1824 | | |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Caledonian Mercury | 16 June 1814 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 14 November 1814 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 14 June 1824 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 14 October 1824 | | | | | Caledonian Mercury | 3 February 1827 | | | | | Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware's Whitehaven Adverti | 11 January 1820 | | | | | Fife Herald | 17 February 1825 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Edinburgh University Library | Plans | | Playfair collection, letterbook, no 4, p239 | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | | |
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