Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert Macfarlane Cameron | Designation: | | Born: | 23 July 1860(?) | Died: | 12 December 1920 | Bio Notes: | Robert Macfarlane Cameron was born in Edinburgh on 23 July 1860, and was educated at George Watson's School. He was articled to David and John Bryce on 14 September 1875, remaining there as an assistant after completing his apprenticeship. In 1881 he joined the staff of Robert Matheson at the Office of Works as a temporary draughtsman, moving to the Prison Board Architects' Department in 1882. Probably because of the severe recession in the earlier 1880s he became furniture designer at Victoria Works, Kirkcaldy in 1882 and remained there until October 1885 when he set up practice in Edinburgh. His best work has scholarly refinement, notably the Rowand Anderson-like Warrender Park Free Church.
Cameron's practice seems to have been affected by the Finance Act of 1909 with diminished business as he was practising from his home after that time. Cameron was admitted LRIBA on 20 July 1914, his proposers being the City Architect James Anderson Williamson, Harry Ramsay Taylor and John Watson. He married Margaret Emma Bowman/Burns on 17 June 1916.
Cameron was a Town Baillie, a Magistrate, and Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh. He died on 12 December 1920 at 53 Great King Street, Edinburgh, and was buried in Warriston Cemetery. His practice was taken over by Stewart Kaye. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 93, South Back of the Canongate, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1883 | | | | 20, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1886 | 1890 | | | 24, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1891 | 1910 | | | 53, Great King Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | 1911 * | 1920 | Records Cameron at Great King Street until 1923 - which is three years after his death |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA Proposers
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 | | 1883 | Dining room interior | | | | Scotland | | | 1885 | 2-24 Viewforth | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | After 1885 | Dunbar Public School | | | East Lothian | Scotland | | | After 1885 | Lasswade Public School | Lasswade | | Midlothian | Scotland | | | After 1885 | Messrs Lipton's, 56 and 57 Princes Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Reconstruction | | After 1885 | Warehouses for Messrs Brickman | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1886 | Dunfermline Public Park | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | Donald Drinking Fountain | | 1888 | Donald Fountain | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | | | c. 1890(?) | 52-54 Inverleith Place | Inverleith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1891 | Loanhead Public School | Loanhead | | Midlothian | Scotland | | | 1891 | Warrender Park Free Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won in competition | | 1893 | Alloa Public School | Sunnyside, Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | First premium in competition, although it appears that the job went to John Bennie Wilson | | 1893 | Falkirk Free Church | Falkirk | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design | | 1893 | Kirkcaldy Public School | Kirkcaldy | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1894 | Dunnikier Primary School | Pathhead/Dunnikier, Kirkcaldy | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1895 | Guildford Arms | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Remodelling | | 1895 | Juniper Green Church | Juniper Green | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1895 | Tenements, Holyrood Road and Gullan's Close | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1896 | Royal Burgess Golf Club, Barnton | Cramond | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1896 | Tenement, 14-16 Holyrood Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1897 | Edinburgh Burgess Golfing Society Clubhouse | Barnton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Original club-house | | 1897 | Usher Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Prepared sketch plans for two sites to a brief prepared by the City Architect as Councillor on Edinburgh Council | | 1898 | Offices and associated warehouses for Pattison, whisky blenders | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Attributed to Simpson in 'Buildings of Scotland' Edinburgh volume. | | 1898 | Tenement for the Magistrates | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | May be responsible? | | 1898 | Warehouse for J M Scott & Co, wine merchants | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1899 | Abbeyhill UP Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1899 | Golf Tavern, Bruntsfield Links | Bruntsfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1899 | Three Tuns Bar | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1900 | Gorgie UP Church and hall | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Church | | 1903 | Public House, Howard Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1906 | Haymarket Inn | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Remodelling of ground floor and interior | | 1907 | Forth Bridge Hotel | South Queensferry | | West Lothian | Scotland | Repairs after fire | | 1908 | Edinburgh Dental Hospital and school | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | HS List claims that it was 'originally R M Cameron' | | 1909 | Dunbar Parish Church Halls | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | | | 1909 | Dunbar Schools | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | for extension | | 1909 | Roller Skating Rink | | | Dundee | Scotland | | | 1910 | Cattle markets for John Swan & Son | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1910 | Grandstand | Powderhall Grounds | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1910 | Picture House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1911 | Torwood | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Service wing extension (attribution) | | 1912 | City Poorhouse | Craiglockhart | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Extension of bedroom accommodation | | 1912 | Princes Cinema | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Architect for original cinema | | 1912 | Royal Hotel and cinema | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Joint architect for cinema with Atkinson and Alexander (Building News) | | 1912 | St Cuthbert's Poorhouse, children's home | Craigleith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1913 | Palace Cinema | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1915 | Torwood | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Drawing room extension |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Laperriere, Charles Baile de (ed.) | 1991 | The Royal Scottish Academy Exhibitors 1826-1990 | | | | | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Scotsman | 13 December 1920 | | | p2 Death notice |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Personal information from Ann C H Begbie, a fourth-generation cousin | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v16 no1167 |
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