Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert Alexander Bryden | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 7 July 1841 | Died: | 14 April 1906 | Bio Notes: | Robert Alexander Bryden was born at the corner of Renfield Street and West George Street in Glasgow on 7 July 1841, the son of Robert Bryden of Royal Bank Place, Glasgow and Margaret Ramage of Kirkurd, Peeblesshire, and was educated at Arthur's Academy Dunoon and Kirkcaldy Grammar School. Apprenticed to Clarke & Bell, he was allowed to insert his name in The Glasgow Directory as 'at Clarke and Bell's' by 1864. In 1865 he made an influential marriage to Elizabeth Robertson, daughter of Alexander Robertson, a Glasgow ironfounder who had retired to Dunoon, consolidating the connections Bryden already had there. In the same year he became a major in the 1st Lanarkshire volunteers. He was elected FRIBA on 20 May 1878, his proposers being John Baird, John Honeyman and William Forrest Salmon.
In the Directory of 1875-76 he appears as 'of Clarke and Bell', implying a very senior position within the firm if not an actual partnership; and from 1876 Bryden seems to have run a simultaneous practice within the same office at 37 West Nile Street, a situation which persisted until 1891 when he was again described as 'of Clarke and Bell' and is known to have been in a formal partnership with the firm, having moved with them from West Nile Street to 212 St Vincent Street in 1880|1.
Bryden's practice remained a near-separate one with its own glazed door within the Clarke and Bell office, and even when in partnership, his work was usually publicised in his own name rather than that of the firm. He had particularly good connections in the philanthropic field and was a director of the Scottish National Sabbath School Union. In 1901 he was described as having travelled extensively on the continent - 'more especially in Germany, the Austrian Tyrol and Italy' - although his architecture tended to be either Gothic or a rather coarse Netherlandish free Renaissance.
The Clarke & Bell and R A Bryden partnership was dissolved in 1902. The reasons for the break-up are uncertain but may relate to the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College. Bryden was its architect and had prepared a design for a new college in 1892. He did not, however, retain the commission and in early 1901 a limited competition was held in which the invitation was to George Bell II who submitted a design by his principal assistant James Hoey Craigie. This design was placed second by the professional staff. The final catalyst seems to have been Bryden's son Andrew Francis Stewart Bryden. Born 21 October 1876, Andrew was articled to his father's firm from 1893 to 1898 and remained as assistant but left in 1901 to gain wider experience. When he proposed to return in 1902 there would appear to have been some disagreement: although the younger Bryden had real ability his health was somewhat unstable. The elder Bryden separated his practice from Bell's and set up on his own with his son as chief assistant, moving out of the Clarke & Bell office at 212 St Vincent Street to one of their own at 147 Bath Street.
Robert Alexander Bryden died on 14 April 1906 at 11 Lynedoch Crescent, Glasgow, and was buried at Dunoon Cemetery. He left the then very substantial estate of £23,560 4s 5d. Andrew Francis Stewart Bryden continued the practice, taking into partnership Andrew Robertson. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 34, Abbotsford Place, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1864 | 1868 | |  | 167, West Regent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1872 | | |  | 15, Dalhousie Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1875 | 1899 | |  | 37, West Nile Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1877 * | | Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts |  | 212, St Vincent Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1899 * | | in RIBA Kalendar |  | 147, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1902 | | |  | 11, Lynedoch Crescent, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1902 | 1906 | |
* 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 |  | Clarke & Bell | Before 1864 | c. 1864 | Apprentice | |  | Clarke & Bell | c. 1864(?) | 1875(?) | | Became partner sometime between 1875 and 1891. |  | Clarke & Bell and R A Bryden | 1875 | 1902 | Partner | |  | R A Bryden & Son | c. 1897 | c. 1901(?) | Partner | |
Employees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes |  | William Cowie | 5 June 1893 | for Associateship |  | William Moffat | 20 March 1882 | for Associateship |  | Andrew Robertson | 5 June 1893 | for Associateship |
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 |  | 1873 | Dunoon Town Hall | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Original building |  | 1874 | Dunoon UP Church | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1875 | Avondale Parish Church | Strathaven | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Renovation |  | 1875 | Home for Destitute Children | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1875 | Innellan School | | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1875 | Strone School | Strone | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1875 | Toward School | Toward | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1876 | Dunoon Free Church | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1876 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1876 | Western Baths | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Principally by Clarke & Bell |  | c. 1876 | Cadzow Parish Church, Hamilton | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | 1877 | St Enoch's Free Church | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design |  | 1878 | English Free Church | Stornoway | Lewis | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Dunoon Infants' School | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Two tenements, Maxwell Road | Pollokshields | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1881 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Bethesda (45 Quarrier's Village) |  | 1884 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Overtoun (14 Quarrier's Village) |  | 1886 | Broughton Parish Church | Calzeat | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Rebuilding |  | 1886 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alan Dick Home |  | 1887 | Crown Point Foundry | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Moulding shops |  | 1888 | Quarrier's Homes, Mount Zion Church | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1888 | Seafield House and lodge | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Rebuilding - and construction of lodge |  | 1889 | Jubilee Fountain | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | 1890 | Titwood Bowling Club | Titwood | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1891 | Paisley Board School | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Third premiated competition design (£15 premium) |  | 1891 | Premises in New City Road | Concaddens | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1892 | Carntyne Free Church and hall | Carntyne | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1892 | Dalmarnock School | Dalmarnock | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1892 | Free Church | Broughton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Church 'Gothicised' |  | June 1892 | Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Produced design, on Committee's request - unexecuted |  | 1893 | Dunoon Town Hall | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Additions, alterations, new gallery and decoration |  | 1893 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Sabbath School Home |  | 1894 | Baptist Mission Hall | Partick | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1894 | Lanarkshire Regiment Drill Hall | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1894 | MacSorley's Bar Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Designed by George Bell II |  | 1894 | Quarrier's Homes, Consumptive Hospital | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | First block |  | After 1894 | Higher Grade Secondary School | Duns | | Berwickshire | Scotland | |  | 1895 | Christian Institute | | | Glasgow | Scotland | YMCA club at west end and Bible Training College at east end added |  | 1895 | Renfrew and Clydebank Joint Infectious Diseases Hospital | Yorkhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1895 | School, Wishaw | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |  | After 1895 | Weekly Mail Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1896 | Dunoon Pier and Offices | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Rebuilding - in collaboration with W R Copland and C J M Mackintosh |  | 1896 | Sir Charles Cameron Memorial Fountain | Woodside | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Ashgrove | Maybole | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Bryden was responsible for additions after it became a children's home that year. |  | 1897 | Belmont House | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | Large additions |  | 1897 | Chapelgill | Broughton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Clackmannan County Hospital | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Lennox Joint Infectious Diseases Hospital | Milton of Campsie | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Glenfarg (34 Quarrier's Village) |  | 1898 | Quarrier's Homes, Consumptive Hospital | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Second block |  | 1898 | Quarrier's Homes, Mount Zion Church | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions, including lengthening |  | After 1898 | County Insurance Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1898 | General Life Assurance Company Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | After 1898 | Southbar House | Bishopton | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | After 1898 | Young Men's Christian Association Club | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Before 1898 | Dunoon and Cowal District Combination Hospital | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | In collaboration with C J M Mackintosh, Burgh Engineer and Master of Works |  | 1898 or 1901 | Drumchapel Hospital | Drumchapel | | Glasgow | Scotland | Original building |  | 1899 | Barony Parochial Asylum | Lenzie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Villa for children |  | 1899 | Ocean Accident Insurance Company Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | Late 1800s | Ardbucho | Broughton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | |  | 1900 | Napiershall Street School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1900 | Tollcross UF Church | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1901 | Belmont House | Springburn | | Glasgow | Scotland | Further additions |  | 1901 | Quarrier's Homes | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Elise Hospital |  | 1902 | Parkhead Forge, office blocks for William Beardmore & Company | Parkhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | Main office block |  | 1902 | Timber sheds and sawmills for Gilmour & Aitken | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extension |  | 1903 | Biggart Memorial Home for Cripple Children | Prestwick | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 1903 | Chapelacre House | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations and extension |  | 1903 | Elgin Place Mission Halls | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Won competition to secure job |  | 1903 | Finnich Malise | | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Reconstruction? |  | 1903 | Glasgow Maternity Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Designed and commenced; construction completed by his son A F S Bryden and Andrew Robertson after his death |  | 1904 | Caledonia Foundry, Office block for Kerr & Co | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1905 | Quarrier's Homes, Epileptic Colony | Bridge of Weir | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Home No 1 |  | c. 1905 | Garrioch School | | | Glasgow | Scotland | |  | 1906 | Isle of Man Industrial Home for Orphan and Destitute Children | Glencrutchery | | Douglas | Isle of Man | (Died in 1906) Bryden had prepared sketch plans before his death |  | c. 1906 | Duntocher Joint Infectious Diseases Hospital | Duntocher | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | |
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 | | | |  | Walker, Frank Arneil | 1986 | South Clyde Estuary: An Illustrated Architectural Guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew | | | p88 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 21 April 1906 | | | Obituary |  | Builders Journal | 25 April 1906 | | | Obituary |  | Glasgow Herald | 16 April 1906 | | | Obituary |  | RIBA Journal | 28 April 1906 | v13 | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | p340 Obituary |  | The Bailie | 8 October 1890 | | | |
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 p112, microfiche 92/E4 - no job list |
Images © All rights reserved. © Courtesy of RCAHMS. Licensor www.rcahms.gov.uk (Glasgow Contemporaries at the Dawn of the XXth Century) |