Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Baird Thomson | Designation: | | Born: | 1869 or 1870 | Died: | 5 June 1917 | Bio Notes: | James Baird Thomson was born in 1869 or 1870, the elder son of James Thomson and his first wife Isobel Miller Aitken. He was probably educated at the Albany Academy like his younger brother William Aitken Thomson. James was articled to his father and became an assistant from 1891 when he designed the British Linen Bank at Whiteinch and an addition to Crossbasket House. In October 1888 he was joined by his brother born in Glasgow on 21 September 1871. In 1892 he undertook the working drawings for the Schaw Convalescent Home at Bearsden, presumably from sketch designs by his father. Both sons were made partners in May 1899, and both were admitted FRIBA on 3 December 1906, their proposers being James Milne Monro and John James Burnet. Their nomination papers helpfully list their work separately indicating that James Baird Thomson was responsible for the free Renaissance Cambridge buildings and the severe warehouse designs and William Aitken Thomson the German Renaissance elevator buildings. There is no indication of either brother having studied at Glasgow School of Art or having travelled, although William probably had as contemporary accounts correctly state that the details of the Connel building were taken from the Ritter Inn at Heidelberg.
James Baird Thomson became a Fellow of the RIBA on 3 December 1906 as part of a wider programme of admission of the leading practices to the RIBA his proposers being J M Monro, J J Burnet and William Leiper.
By 1914 James Baird Thomson had retired from the practice to Florida Mount, New Brighton, Cheshire probably because of poor health. He died on 5 June 1917, and is buried in the family lair in Glasgow Necropolis, his gravestone indicating that he was married to Isobel Aitken Swan. The practice was continued by his brother. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 88, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1887 | 1914 | | | Florida Mount, New Brighton, Cheshire, England | Private | 1914 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | James Thomson | 1887 | c. 1892(?) | Apprentice | | | James Thomson | c. 1892 | 1899 | Assistant(?) | | | Baird & Thomson | 1899 | Before 1914 | Partner | |
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | (Sir) John James Burnet | 3 December 1906 | for Fellowship | | James Milne Monro | 3 December 1906 | for Fellowship |
Buildings and DesignsThis 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 | | 1891 | British Linen Bank | Whiteinch | | Glasgow | Scotland | As assistant | | 1891 | Crossbasket House | High Blantyre | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Additions - as apprentice | | 1891 | Glasgow Necropolis, Monument to Charles Clark MacKirdy | Dennistoun | | Glasgow | Scotland | As assistant to his father | | 1892 | Clydesdale Bank, 340-344 Argyle Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1892 | Lesmahagow Cemetery, Monument to the late General David Elliot MacKirdy | Lesmahagow | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Woodfield Mansion House | | | Edinburgh (near) | Scotland | Claimed specific responsibility | | 1898 | Building for William Connall & Co | | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership | | 1898 | Cambridge Buildings, 202-212 Sauchiehall Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership | | 1898 | Muirhead & Company, 200 Sauchiehall Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Claims specific responsibility | | 1898 | New Factory, 110-112 Ingram Street and Montrose Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership but claims specific responsibility | | 1899 | Clydesdale Bank | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | In partnership but James Baird Thomson claims specific responsibility | | 1899 | Clydesdale Bank | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | In partnership but claims specific responsibility | | 1899 | Dumbarton Municipal Buildings | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | In partnership | | 1899 | Liverpool London and Globe Insurance Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1900 | Bridgegate Parish Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Design made. In partnership but claimed specific responsibility | | 1900 | Feuing plan of Mirrlees estate | Kelvinside | | Glasgow | Scotland | In partnership | | 1900 | Great Western Hotel and Terrace | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations and installation of lift (with electric motor house at rear of hotel) | | 1900 | Standard Life Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Minor alterations | | 1902 | Clydesdale Bank | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | In partnership | | 1902 | UF Church Hall | Dumbarton | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Church hall and link to church | | 1903 | North British Hotel | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations and top floor. In partnership | | 1904 | Clydesdale Bank | Bo'ness / Borrowstouness | | West Lothian | Scotland | In partnership | | 1904 | Tobacco Warehouse, James Watt Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Additions - new Brown Street façade | | 1905 | Clydesdale Bank | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Alterations - in partnership | | 1905 | Clydesdale Bank | Larbert | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Addition - in partnership | | 1906 | Buildings for the McAlpin Nursing Home | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1908 | 36 Jamaica Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1908 | Royal Glasgow Cancer Hospital, McAlpin Nursing Home | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1909 | Standard Life Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Top storeys added | | 1913 | Clydesdale Bank, 10-12 James Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Reconstruction and enlargement | | 1914 | Wire Rope Factory | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1915 | Clydesdale Bank | Oban | | Argyll | Scotland | New premises |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v18 no1192 p37 (microfilm reel no12) |
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