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Basic Biographical Details

Name: William James Boston
Designation: Architect
Born: 9 June 1861
Died: 1 February 1937
Bio Notes: William James Boston was born in Tradeston on 9 June 1861, the son of Thomas Boston, artist and seal-engraver. He was assistant to the prolific tenement architect, Frank Burnet, and was made partner in 1889. He married Elizabeth Frith Watson on 15 September 1910 at Eaglesham. He became senior partner on Burnet's death in 1923. He never sought membership of the RIBA.

Boston died of influenza, bronchitis and vascular problems at Glenlee, Clarkston, Glasgow on 1 February 1937. The practice was continued by his partner Frank Russell Burnet and James Bell, who had become a partner on Boston's death.

(See entry for Frank Burnet & Boston for more information.)

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 7250, Paisley Road West, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1890 *  
Item 2 of 769, West Regent Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1890 or 1891 *1893 or 1894 
Item 3 of 73, Tulliallan Place, Paisley Road West, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate18931894 
Item 4 of 711, Walmer Crescent, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate18961897 
Item 5 of 7180, Hope Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness18971937 
Item 6 of 7Moorland Cottage, Eaglesham, Renfrewshire, ScotlandPrivate1910 *  
Item 7 of 7Glenlee, Clarkston, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate19111937 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 4Frank Burnet 1889AssistantLater partner
Item 2 of 4Frank Burnet & Boston18891901Partner 
Item 3 of 4Burnet, Boston & Carruthers19011907 or 1908Partner 
Item 4 of 4Frank Burnet & Boston19081937Partner 

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 115After 1889Whitehall Restaurant  GlasgowScotland 
Item 2 of 1151890Victoria Bolt & Rivet Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 3 of 1151891Campbellfield Twisting Works  GlasgowScotlandExtensions
Item 4 of 1151891Miller's BakerySpringburn GlasgowScotlandWith W B Whitie
Item 5 of 1151893Kelvindale Mills  GlasgowScotlandStore
Item 6 of 1151895Terraced houses, Glencairn Drive and Shields Road  GlasgowScotland 
Item 7 of 1151896176-178 Hope Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 8 of 1151896Business premises and tenements, Wellington Street and Argyle Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 9 of 1151896Warehouse, Brunswick Lane  GlasgowScotland 
Item 10 of 1151897188-190 St Vincent Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 11 of 1151897Bonded Store, Ballater Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 12 of 1151897Robert Sinclair's Warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 13 of 115189896-100 St Vincent Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations or additions, perhaps not executed
Item 14 of 1151898Carlton BuildingsHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 15 of 1151898Castle Chambers and Palace Restaurant  GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 1151898Clyde Rivet Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 17 of 115After 1898(?)F & J Smith Tobacco Factory  GlasgowScotlandProbably involved, but may be by James Ritchie
Item 18 of 115c. 1898(?)Paxtons Hotel  GlasgowScotlandProbably involved, but may be by James Ritchie
Item 19 of 1151899Herriot Hill Printing Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions, mansard attic.
Item 20 of 1151899Oil works for Rowley & Dick  GlasgowScotland 
Item 21 of 1151899Public house and shop with flats over for George Honeyman Farmer  GlasgowScotlandOriginal scheme
Item 22 of 1151900Battlefield Gardens Tenements  GlasgowScotland 
Item 23 of 1151900Battlefield Road Tenements  GlasgowScotland 
Item 24 of 1151900Campbellfield Twisting Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 25 of 1151900City Flint Glass Works and Hecla Foundry  GlasgowScotland 
Item 26 of 1151900Royal Bank of Scotland branch office and business premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 27 of 1151900Sinclair Drive Tenements  GlasgowScotland 
Item 28 of 1151900St George's Mansions  GlasgowScotland 
Item 29 of 1151900Tenements for Glasgow City Improvement Trust, High Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 30 of 1151900Tenements, Govan Road and Shaw Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 31 of 115After 1900RedholmePollokshields/Dumbreck GlasgowScotlandAddition?
Item 32 of 115After 1900Wesleyan Methodist ChurchBarrhead RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 33 of 115c. 1900Royal Avenue MansionsCampbeltown ArgyllScotland 
Item 34 of 1151901Seven tenements Bridgeton GlasgowScotland 
Item 35 of 1151901Tenement, Parkhead Cross  GlasgowScotland 
Item 36 of 1151901Warehouse, Dunlop Street and Howard Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 37 of 1151902Business Premises, corner of West Nile Street and Drury Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 38 of 1151902Business Premises, corner of West Nile Street and Drury Street (South cornner)  GlasgowScotland 
Item 39 of 1151902Coach Works  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 40 of 1151902Herriot Hill Printing Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions on St James Road (£3,500).
Item 41 of 1151902Parkholm Bakery  GlasgowScotland 
Item 42 of 1151902Public house and shop with flats over for George Honeyman Farmer  GlasgowScotlandRevised scheme
Item 43 of 1151902SmithstoneKilwinning AyrshireScotlandAddition
Item 44 of 1151903Bakery for R A Peacock and Son  GlasgowScotland 
Item 45 of 1151903City Improvement Trust Buildings, High Street and Bell Street  GlasgowScotlandMansard attic, extensive alterations
Item 46 of 1151903Dalmarnock Iron WorksDalmarnock GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 47 of 1151903Gordon Chambers  GlasgowScotland 
Item 48 of 1151903Herriot Hill Printing Works  GlasgowScotlandFurther additions (£15,000)
Item 49 of 1151903Scottish Amicable Building  GlasgowScotlandTop floor added
Item 50 of 1151903Tenements, Dumbarton Road, Vine Street and Merkland Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 51 of 1151903Tenements, High Street and Duke Street  GlasgowScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 52 of 1151903Union BankDunfermline FifeScotland 
Item 53 of 1151903Workshops, High Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 54 of 115190416 Buchanan Street  GlasgowScotland4th floor and above added
Item 55 of 115190439 Sherbrooke AvenuePollokshields GlasgowScotland 
Item 56 of 115190488 Renfield Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 57 of 1151904Campbellfield Twisting Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 58 of 1151904Glasgow Cabinet Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 59 of 1151904Matheran HousePollokshields GlasgowScotland 
Item 60 of 1151904McLellan Art Gallery and warehouse  GlasgowScotlandRemodelling of interior, shopfronts, dome at Rose Street corner
Item 61 of 1151905Drill Hall and Headquarters for the Royal Naval Reserve BrigadeGovan GlasgowScotland 
Item 62 of 1151905Engineering Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 63 of 1151905Glasgow Cabinet Works  GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 64 of 1151905Great George Street/ Kersland Road Tenement  GlasgowScotlandSuperseded by John Nisbet after construction was begun.
Item 65 of 1151905HeathbankHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandAlterations to house and new coach house
Item 66 of 1151905Workshops, High Street  GlasgowScotlandFurther work after fire in 1905.
Item 67 of 115c. 190515-31 Duke Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 68 of 115c. 1905City Improvement Trust tenements  GlasgowScotlandHS attribution
Item 69 of 1151906Canning Place Public School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 70 of 1151906Dalmarnock Iron WorksDalmarnock GlasgowScotlandAdditions
Item 71 of 1151906Tenements, Dalnair Street and Esmond Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 72 of 1151907BrincliffeHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 73 of 1151907Fountain in memory of John and Thomas Hamilton, Maxwell ParkMaxwell Park GlasgowScotland 
Item 74 of 1151907Hughenden House  GlasgowScotland 
Item 75 of 1151907Motor Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 76 of 1151907Two-storey house, Kennedy DriveHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 77 of 115c. 1907Herbertshire CastleFalkirk StirlingshireScotlandAlterations
Item 78 of 1151908Acme Machine Works  GlasgowScotlandMansard addition
Item 79 of 1151908Garnethill Established ChurchGarnethill GlasgowScotland 
Item 80 of 1151910City Manure Office, Parliamentary Road  GlasgowScotlandAlterations to stables.
Item 81 of 1151910Offices, Port Dundas Road  GlasgowScotland 
Item 82 of 1151911Bonded Warehouses, Borron Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 83 of 1151911Box Factory, William Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 84 of 1151911Fa'side HouseMearns RenfrewshireScotlandAddition
Item 85 of 1151911Premises, New Sneddon Street and Wallace StreetPaisley RenfrewshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 86 of 1151911Royal Exchange Assurance Building  GlasgowScotland 
Item 87 of 1151911St George's Horse Bazaar  GlasgowScotlandRoofing and courtyard
Item 88 of 1151912Green's PicturedromePossil GlasgowScotland 
Item 89 of 1151912Hydepark Bakery  GlasgowScotlandStables
Item 90 of 1151912Tenements, Gallowgate and Graham Square  GlasgowScotland 
Item 91 of 1151912Warehouse, Mitchell Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 92 of 1151913Castle Mearns  RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 93 of 1151913Port Dundas DistilleryPort Dundas GlasgowScotlandRebuilding
Item 94 of 1151914Commercial BankDunfermline FifeScotland 
Item 95 of 1151914Stables, Dobbie's Loan  GlasgowScotlandRoofing of courtyard
Item 96 of 1151914Tobacco factory, Tobago Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 97 of 1151914Tramcar shelter, Battlefield Rest  GlasgowScotland 
Item 98 of 1151914Tramway Offices, Bath Street  GlasgowScotlandLarge extensions
Item 99 of 1151914Warehouse, Sussex Street  GlasgowScotlandWith Bruce & Hay
Item 100 of 1151923Premises, Trongate, Stockwell Street and Osborne Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 101 of 1151929Commercial Union Assurance Building, St Vincent Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 102 of 1151930sGreenock Ice RinkGreenock RenfrewshireScotland??
Item 103 of 1151931Ferguson Ltd's premises  GlasgowScotland 
Item 104 of 1151931Mill Church, suite of hallsGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 105 of 1151933Bank of Scotland, MaryhillMaryhill GlasgowScotland 
Item 106 of 1151934Buildings in New Lanark for Gourock Ropework CompanyNew Lanark LanarkshireScotland 
Item 107 of 1151934Premises in Braxfield RoadNew Lanark LanarkshireScotland 
Item 108 of 1151935Bank of Scotland, PossilparkPossilpark GlasgowScotland 
Item 109 of 1151935Building for the Distillers CompanyGovan GlasgowScotlandReconstruction and extension
Item 110 of 1151935Workshop for W & J Martin  GlasgowScotlandNew buildings
Item 111 of 1151936RC SchoolKilmarnock AyrshireScotlandExtension
Item 112 of 1151936Union BankBattlefield, Langside GlasgowScotland??
Item 113 of 115c. 1936Cardonald Cemetery  GlasgowScotlandGates etc
Item 114 of 1151937J R W Laing Showrooms  GlasgowScotland 
Item 115 of 1151937Royal Bank Of ScotlandSpringtown GlasgowScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Post Office Directories     
Item 2 of 3RIBA1930The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3www.glasgowsculpture.com2005www.glasgowsculpture.com Website of 'Glasgow - City of Scultpure', co-produced by Gary Nisbet and Tim Gardner 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder12 February 1937  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Additional information from Iain Paterson

Images

© All rights reserved. © Courtesy of RCAHMS. Licensor www.rcahms.gov.uk (Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century) 

© All rights reserved. © Courtesy of RCAHMS. Licensor www.rcahms.gov.uk (Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century)