Basic Biographical Details Name: | John Burnet (senior) | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 27 September 1814 | Died: | 15 January 1901 | Bio Notes: | John Burnet was born at Craighead House, Kirk o' Shotts on 27 September 1814, the son of Lieutenant George Burnet of the Kirkcudbright and Galloway Militia, and his wife Margaret Wardlaw, who was the daughter of a Dalkeith merchant John Wardlaw. He was educated at Dunipace Parish School and thereafter apprenticed as a carpenter, graduating to architecture through experience as a clerk of works with a Mr Smith, architect and builder, who can be safely identified with John Smith, originally of Alloa and after 1826 of Glasgow, as Burnet's earliest clients were in the Alloa-Clackmannan area. Such architectural training as he had probably came from Smith's son James. Burnet commenced practice on his own account in 1843 with free churches at Shandon, Alloa and Clackmannan, all in a simple round-arched Italian style. By 1845 he was sufficiently prosperous to marry Elizabeth Hay Bennet, the daughter of Lindsay Bennet, merchant, Leith. She was an ambitious lady and a driving force behind the practice. Within a few years he had taken his younger brother William Cadell Burnet (born 1828) into the practice as pupil and for a time assistant, but the latter preferred to settle in London, sharing an office with another brother, George, who was a merchant there, and subsequently transferred his business to the United States.
Burnet was essentially self-taught from a large and important library which included Durand, Letarouilly and Viollet-le-Duc. He rose in prominence in the mid-1850s with the pure Greek temple of Elgin Place Church, with the Clapperton/Middeton warehouse in Miller Street, which was remarkable for its central well and laminated timber roof structure, and with Madeira Court on Argyle Street, which was strongly influenced by Charles Wilson's work. Thereafter his practice flourished in part as a result of success in limited competitions, but he seems to have had good connections among the Glasgow merchants and shipowners for whom he designed large baronial houses at Auchendennan, Arden, Kildalton and the giant Kilmahew in the mid-1860s. By that date he had also become an accomplished Gothic designer, most notably at Woodlands Church and the Glasgow Stock Exchange, where he exploited features from William Burges's London Law Courts design - his brother William was architectural clerk to the competition - a skilful plagiarism which did not escape Burges's attention, although he seems to have allowed the matter to pass without comment. In his final years he was responsible for three of the city's most important buildings: the Clydesdale Bank, the Merchants' House and the Cockerell-inspired reconstruction of the Union Bank, in the later stages of which he was assisted by his son John James, certainly after his return from Paris at the end of 1876 and probably earlier. He was Glasgow correspondent of the Architectural Publication Society's Dictionary from about 1860, perhaps through connections formed by his brother. He is known to have travelled and sketched in Germany, France and Italy but dates are lacking. His visits to Germany probably related to the education of his son George who studied at Heidelberg in the mid-1870s, while those in France certainly related to his son John James's education at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts from 1871 onwards.
Burnet was elected FRIBA on 4 December 1876, his proposers being John Honeyman, John Macvicar Anderson and Wyatt Papworth, editor of the Architectural Publication Society's Dictionary, but within a year his active role as an architect came to an end with the return of his son John James from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts: Henry Edward Clifford may have had a significant role even earlier, as may Burnet's nephew William Landless. In 1886 John Archibald Campbell, also returned from the Ecole des Beaux-Arts, became a partner and c.1889 the elder Burnet went into semi-retirement at the age of seventy-five. Outwith the office his interests were sketching and fishing. He died in Glasgow on 15 January 1901, leaving moveable estate of £3,210 5s 2d. He was predeceased by his eldest son George Wardlaw Burnet, Sheriff Substitute of Aberdeen who died as a result of the collapse of his bamboo bicycle; by his second son Lindsay Burnet, who was a mechanical engineer; and by his daughter Elizabeth. Only John James and Margaret (Mrs John Edwards) survived him. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | Scotland | Business | | | |  | 107, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1844 | 1845 | |  | 50, Renfield Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1851 | 1853 | |  | Ashton Vale/152, Buccleuch Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1854 | 1857 | |  | 113, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1856 * | | |  | 97, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1860 | 1864 | And perhaps after |  | 105, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1865 | | |  | 9, Sandyford Place, Sauchiehall Streetet, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1865 | 1867 | |  | 14, Victoria Crescent, Dowanhill, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1867 | 1878 | |  | 180, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1868 | 1876 | no 150 according to PO directories and left in 1874 not 1876 |  | 167, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1876 | 1886(?) | accordng to PO directories began here 1874 |  | St Kilda, Victoria Circus, Dowanhill, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1879 | 1901 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | John Burnet & Son | 1882 | 13 August 1886 | Partner | |  | Burnet Son & Campbell | 13 August 1886 | 1897 | Partner | |
Employees or Pupils* earliest date known from documented sources.
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
Buildings and DesignsThis architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | | House for John and William Baxter | | | Dundee | Scotland | Date unknown |  | 1844 | Alloa Free Church | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | |  | 1844 | Clackmannan Free Church | Clackmannan | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | |  | 1844 | Shandon Free Church and School | Shandon | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1845 | Fitzroy Place, Sauchiehall Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1847 | Hoghill (perhaps Haghill) House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1847 | Old Botanic Gardens | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1848 | New Jerusalem Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1849 | Milton Free Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1850 | Ward Congregational Chapel | | | Dundee | Scotland | Pulpit |  | c. 1850 | 244-50 Bath Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1850 | Tenement block, east corner Sauchiehall Street and North Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1853 | Unitarian Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition designs - not successful |  | 1854 | Congregational Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1854 | Middleton's Building, 61-67 Miller Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1855 | Berkeley Street UP Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | c. 1855(?) | Warehouse, India Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date not known, but probably c.1855 |  | 1856 | Elgin Place Congregational Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1856 | EU Congregational Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1856 | Finnieston Street Free Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1856 | Madeira Court, north east corner Argyle Street and Oswald Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1857 | Bank of Scotland Branch | Lauriston | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1858 | Alexander's School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1858 | The Cairns | Cambuslang | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1859 | Bank of Scotland, Kelso Branch | Kelso | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | 1859 | House, Bath Street between Holland Street and Elgin Place | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1860 | Seamen's Chapel | Broomielaw | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1861 | Bank of Scotland, Strathaven Branch | Strathaven | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1861 | Union Bank | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Attribution by 'Buildings of Scotland' |  | 1861 | Union Bank of Scotland, Hamilton Branch | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1862 | Newfield House | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | New build? Remodelling? |  | 1862 | Rawcliffe House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1863 | Premises for Henry Monteith & Co | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1864 | Auchendennan House | Arden | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1864 | Wardlaw Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1864 | Western Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Glasgow Savings Bank Headquarters | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1865 | Kilmahew House | Cardross (near) | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Also south lodge |  | 1866 | Eglinton Street Congregational Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building |  | 1866 | Govan Burgh Buildings | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1867 | Arden House | Loch Lomond | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1867 | Clydesdale Bank | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1867 | Dollar Academy, Playfair block | Dollar | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Additions - including assembly hall |  | 1867 | Glasgow Academy | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Addition |  | 1867 | Kildalton House | | Islay | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1868 | Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance and Junior Conservative Club | | | Glasgow | Scotland | First scheme for Junior Conservative Club - displaced by Bryce. |  | 1869 | 8 Park Circus Place | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1869 | Longrow UP Church | Campbeltown | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1870 | Clydesdale Bank Headquarters, St Vincent Place | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Won competition to secure job. |  | c. 1870 | Ardshiel | Campbeltown | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | c. 1870 | Newfield House | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Remodelling |  | c. 1870 | Rowardennan Lodge | Rowardennan, Loch Lomond | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1870 | University of Glasgow, gate lodges | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1871 | Arlington Baths Club | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1871 | Cardross Free Church | Cardross | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | New church |  | 1871 | House of Assembly | | | | Isle of Man | Competition design? |  | 1871 | Union Bank, St Vincent Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1872 | Glasgow Eye Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1872 | Glasgow University, gymnasium | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1873 | Carfin | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1873 | Glasgow Cathedral Graveyard, George Baillie Monument | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1873 | Killean House | Tayinloan | | Argyll | Scotland | Additions |  | 1874 | Balmaghie House | | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | With John James Burnet as junior partner |  | 1874 | Montgomerie Crescent | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1874 | Rawcliffe House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Major enlargement |  | 1874 | Woodlands UP Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Acted as assessor for limited competition: instructed to design the building himself. |  | 1875 | Glasgow Stock Exchange | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1875 | Grand Hotel | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Design only |  | 1875 | Killean House (new) | Tayinloan | | Argyll | Scotland | New house built following fire in old one |  | 1875 | The Cairns | Cambuslang | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Probably further work |  | 1875 | The Merchants' House | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design |  | 1876 | Glasgow Savings Bank | Bridgeton Cross | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1876 | Govan Old Parish Church | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | Proposed improvements - not carried out - superseded by Rowand Anderson |  | 1876 | Hutcheson's Boys' School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions |  | 1876 | Overnewton School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1876 | Union Bank | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Refronted by John Burnet Senior. (J & G Mossman were the sculptors). Columns reused at Royal Princess's Theatre. |  | Before 1876 | Kierallon House | | Islay | Argyll | Scotland | |  | c. 1876 | St Kilda | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1877 | Caledonain Railway administrative offices | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Consulted and may have produced sketch scheme |  | 1877 | National Bank of Scotland, Proposed Trongate Branch | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1877 | New Edinburgh Theatre | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations to form Synod Hall - jointly with Peddie and Kinnear |  | 1877 | Queen's Dock, Hydraulic Pumping Station | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Attributed by DMW to Burnet as he was architect to Clyde Navigation Trust |  | 1877 | Westbank Quadrant | Kelvinside | | Glasgow | Scotland | East and central blocks |  | 1878 | Design for a provincial Hotel de Ville | | | | | |  | 1878 | Henderson Memorial Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1878 | Institute of Fine Arts | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Won competition and appointed for job - with his son as junior partner |  | 1878 | Kilcalmonell Free Church | Kilcalmonell | | Argyll | Scotland | Attribution by 'Buildings of Scotland' |  | 1879 | Episcopal Church | Wemyss Bay | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Glasgow Municipal Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | First competition and second competition designs - with John James as junior partner |  | c. 1880 | 1-11 Great Western Terrace | | | Glasgow | Scotland | As senior partner - completed westmost houses of terrace - adhering to Thomson's design for the elevations but changing the rear. |  | 1881 | 80 Oakfield Terrace | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions to no 80 - with his son, prior to partnership |  | 1881 | Deanston House | Doune | | Perthshire | Scotland | With John James Burnet as junior partner |  | 1881 | Denny UP Church | Denny | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | With John James Burnet as junior partner |  | 1882 | Cameron House, south lodge | | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | With John James Burnet as junior partner |  | 1882 | Clyde Navigation Trust Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1882 | Deanston House, gate lodge | Doune | | Perthshire | Scotland | With John James Burnet as junior partner |  | 1882 | Drumsheugh Baths | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1882 | Sauchfield Terrace and Crescent | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1883 | Bellfield | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Reinstatement after fire |  | 1884 | Kilneiss | Moniaive | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | Major reconstruction and addition of studio |  | 1885 | Birmingham Law Courts | | | Birmingham | England | Competition design - reached 2nd tier but unplaced |  | 1885 | Coats Memorial Baptist Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Competition design - unplaced |  | 1885 | Edinbarnet | | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | House and conservatories |  | 1885 | Edinburgh International Exhibition of Industry, Science and Art, 1886 | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won competition and secured job with C C Lindsay engineer |  | 1885 | Edinburgh International Exhibition, manager's house | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Hartwood Asylum | Shotts | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Competition design, selected but not successful |  | 1885 | Newark Free Church and hall | Port Glasgow | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job |  | 1885 | Schoolwell Street Manse | Stevenston | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Additions |  | 1885 | St Andrews Free Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design - unsuccessful |  | 1885 | University of Glasgow Students' Union | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Wellington UP Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design exhibited |  | 1892 | Aerated Water Factory, 65 East King Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |  | 1896 | Glasgow School of Art | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Glasgow Contemporaries | 1901 | Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the Twentieth Century | | | p213 |  | Irving, Joseph | 1881 | The Book of Scotsmen | | | |  | Walker, Frank Arneil | 1986 | South Clyde Estuary: An Illustrated Architectural Guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew | | | p112, p145 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | British Architect | 18 January 1901 | | | p40 |  | British Architect | 25 January 1901 | | | p55 and p69 additional notes |  | Builder | 26 January 1901 | | | pp108, 111, 119 |  | Builder | 2 February 1901 | | | p111 (from Glasgow Herald) |  | Building News | 16 May 1890 | | | Portrait and biographical detials |  | Building News | 25 January 1901 | | | p121 |  | Quiz | 20 July 1893 | | | p186 |  | The Bailie | 12 August 1876 | | | Or may be 12 April 1876 (uncertain) |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v5 p59, microfiche 89/B1 |
Images © All rights reserved. Edinburgh Architectural Association 1907 Exhibition Catalogue © All rights reserved. Building News 16 May 1890 |