Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Salisbury
Designation:  
Born:  
Died: Before 1800
Bio Notes: James Salisbury was a carpenter and architect. He came to Edinburgh to supervise the construction of Register House. He is described variously as carpenter and architect when he was made a burgess in Edinburgh in 1778. That same year he was consulted by the Writers to the Signet when they were considering building a library. The banker, Sir William Forbes insisted that the Society hire him since he was 'a person in whose skill or integrity we had prefect conficence'.

Among the prosections, complaints and litigation between builders of the New Town of Edinburgh and the Town Council and Edinburgh's incorporation of wrights and mason, who attempted to impose restrictive trade practices, a group of builders set up their own Society, the Society of Master Builders, Wrights and Masons. Salisbury was president and in due course the Society achieved recognition and status.

In 1783 he acted as a go-between in the dispute between the Duke of Gordon and John Baxter. At that time he was employed by the Duke of Roxburghe and to have ‘a job of consequence’ for Henry Drummond at Lawers House. In 1784-5 he was prosecuted by the Leith Incorporation of Wrights and Builders because he had lent money to otherbuilders which contravened the regulations of the Incorporation.

Later in the 1780s he was employed at New Saughton and in 1796 drew up plans for Bantaskine, Stirlingshire for Sir William Forbes (whose wife produced a sketch).

In Edinburgh Salisbury was employed by the Town Council and undertook alteration work. He also worked in Fife and in West Lothian at Barnbougle. The 3rd Earl of Rosebery described him as ‘a lying, ill-tempered, vulgar builder’.

He is described as 'deceased' by January 1800 when terrace of houses he built and owned was advertised for sale.

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 91778Signet Library  EdinburghScotlandConsulted by the Writers to the Signet about new library.
Item 2 of 91783Lawers House  PerthshireScotlandRemodelled the centre of the south front.
Item 3 of 91786Terrace of houses, Leith Terrace, Leith Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 4 of 91789Barnbougle CastleDalmeny Park West LothianScotlandRepairs and alterations
Item 5 of 91789Cammo House  MidlothianScotlandNew stair and cellar under the terrace.
Item 6 of 91793House, 53 Princes Street  EdinburghScotlandCompletion
Item 7 of 91796Bantaskine  StirlingshireScotland 
Item 8 of 91798Holy Trinity Parish ChurchSt Andrews FifeScotlandColvin gives Salisbury as responsible for the alterations and for the interior re-fitting
Item 9 of 9Before 1800Terrace of houses, Hill Street  EdinburghScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 3Lewis, Anthony2014The Builders of Edinburgh New Town 1767-1795 Reading: Spire Bookspp120-1 etc
Item 3 of 3Scottish Record Society1933Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses  p139

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Caledonian Mercury30 January 1800