Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Hippolyte Jean Blanc | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 8 August 1844 | Died: | 17 March 1917 | Bio Notes: | Hippolyte Jean Blanc was born in Edinburgh on 18 August 1844, the third son of the four children of Victor Jacques Blanc of Privas in the Ardèche area of France and his wife Sarah (Sartia) Bauress, whose parents, also French, had moved to Dublin some time before. Between 1840 and 1842 Hippolyte's parents moved to Edinburgh where they opened a business at 33 George Street, importing and making 'every description of French boots and shoes' for ladies. Advertisements for the business say that it was established in 1840 but it is unclear whether this was in Edinburgh or intially Dublin. When Hippolyte was born the family resided at 37 North Frederick Street, (other sources say 37 Thistle Street) but they had moved to 69 George Street two years later, thus being opposite the business which by this time was located at number 68. The business prospered and by 1851 six men were employed in it.
Hippolyte was enrolled at George Heriot's School and appears to have been a gifted pupil, being awarded when he left in 1859 the dux medal for 'pre-eminence in scholarship and good conduct'. That year he was articled to David Rhind and in 1863 he won a 'first book' in the Prespective Drawings competition run by the Architectural Institute of Scotland. He remained in Rhind's office until 1864, attending the School of Art and Design in Edinburgh and being awarded the national medal in 1866. Thomas Ross was a fellow student at the School of Design and they formed a friendship which lasted all their lives, sharing as they did a passion for medieval architecture. By this date (after 1866 and before 1868) the family business was being run by Hippolyte's mother as it appears under the name 'Madame Blanc et Fils'; his father seems to have fallen ill and returned to France, where he still owned some property, and to have died there. At least one brother, Auguste was involved in the business. After the completion of his articles in 1864 Blanc worked in various other unspecified offices in Edinburgh but later in the same year he entered HM Office of Works as an assistant to Robert Matheson and rose to the position of chief draughtsman in 1869 after passing the Civil Service Technical Examination. In his Nomination Paper he described his post becoming permanent at this point. During this period he travelled in England, Normandy and Brittany and he was elected President of the Edinburgh Architectural Association for the years 1871-72 at the relatively young age of twenty-seven. He later served two further terms of office.
While still employed by the Office of Works he obtained various private commissions, one of which was a house near Edinburgh which was 'in the course of erection' in 1873. His office (and house?) was at 40 Frederick Street. On 21 August 1873 with the security of a permanent post he married Elizabeth, daughter of Thomas Shield of London and together they set up house at 12 St Vincent Street. His first recorded competition entry was for the Sailors' Home at Leith in 1872 which was not successful but in 1875 he won the competition for what was subsequently to be named Christ Episcopal Church, Morningside, working from home and in a private capacity (he was still employed full-time at the Office of Works); and in the following year, 1876, he won another competition, for Mayfield Free Church. In 1878 he left the employ of the Office of Works and commenced full-time independent practice at 73 George Street. From 1880 he was in constant demand, with a series of commissions from well-to-do patrons which included the Coats family in Paisley but it was his competition wins which brought him into public notice, in particular the restoration work at Edinburgh Castle, sponsored by the publisher William Nelson, where Blanc put the experience gained from his years with Matheson at the Office of Works to good use. In 1886 or 1887 Blanc took his former assistant James Gordon into partnership: he was made a partner because of the increasing workload and widespread nature of the practice at this time. In addition to his own practice Blanc was also in demand as an assessor, judging the competition for hospitals at Ayr (1892), Galashiels (1893) and churches at Arbroath and Clydebank (both 1893).
Blanc was meticulous in finding suitable sources for his restoration work and was involved in various antiquarian societies including the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland where he was a Fellow from 1879, a member of the Old Edinburgh Club and the Berwickshire Naturalists Club where in all cases he was an active member and 'nothing delighted him more than to head a large company of visitors over some ancient building…and [he] was in great request amongst learned societies in this capacity'. Moreover despite the demands of a busy practice he found time to 'deliver many lectures on subjects connected with architecture, especially in connection with medieval churches'. He was a prolific writer, having by 1901 penned some 'thirty papers on collegiate churches, castles and suchlike' in addition to a number articles on professional subjects. In 1902 he published jointly with Clement B Gunn and Charles Henry Bedford an illustrated account of his alma mater, George Heriot's School. On 1 April of the previous year he had been elected FRIBA, his proposers being John McKean Brydon, Alfred Waterhouse and William Howard Seth-Smith. In fact he was a keen supporter of the Institute almost from its inception and according to Ross 'owe[d] as much to him as any other member'. His support for aspiring younger architects is demonstrated by the number of Nomination Papers he signed. Blanc was unafraid of commitment and was actively involved also in the Royal Scottish Society of Arts where he was Vice-President in 1888-90. He was elected Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy in 1892 and full academician in 1896 and was deputy President and Treasurer 1907-17. He was also President of the Edinburgh Photographic Society. In 1910 Blanc, along with Ernest George, was on the British Fine Art Executive Committee for the Japan British Exhibition held at Shepherds Bush that year. Again with George he served on the two-person Architecture sub-committee. His activities achieved an international dimension when he became one of the Royal Commissioners appointed by the Government in connection with the International Exhibitions held in Brussels, Rome and Turin in 1910-11.
By 1912 Blanc was joined in practice by his son Francis (Frank) Edward Belcombe Blanc who was born on 27 February 1890 and educated at Merchiston Castle School. Hippolyte Blanc died on 12 March 1917 at his then home, The Neuk, Strathearn Place, leaving moveable estate of £12,061 6s 2d. Frank continued the practice, which had moved to 25 Rutland Square in 1901, under the name Hippolyte J Blanc & Son and was still working in the 1950s, by which time the practice was based in Carlisle.
Hippolyte Jean Blanc, left £12,061.
Victor H Blanc was the son of Blanc's brother Auguste, who had carried on the family business as a boot and shoe maker. Victor H Blanc was appointed dental surgeon to the King and Queen of Romania in 1900. He seerved as a captain with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the First World War and died on 22 July 1921.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 37 (or 39?), Thistle Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | 1844 | | |  | 37, North Frederick Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | After 1844 * | | |  | 69, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1846 | | |  | 40, Frederick Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1872 * | | |  | 6, Howe Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1873 | | |  | 12, St Vincent Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1874 | 1878 | |  | 73, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1879 | 1900 | |  | 2, Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1884 | | |  | The Neuk/17, Strathearn Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business | c. 1889 | 1917 | |  | 25, Rutland Square, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1900 | 1917 | FEB Blanc thereafter |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
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 |  | | Shop, Causewayside | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1867 | East Queen Street Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As assistant in charge in HM Office of Works |  | 1871 | Jedburgh Parish Church | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Appears to have prepared a scheme prior to Wyatt |  | 1873 | Suburban Villa | | | Edinburgh (near) | Scotland | |  | 1875 | Christ Church Episcopal | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won competition to secure job; also designed memorial tablet to Mr Alcock the organist |  | 1876 | Mayfield Free Church | Mayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Church and hall |  | 1876 | Mayfield Free Church Manse | Mayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1879 | Kinnaird Church | Kinnaird | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1879 | St Margaret's Episcopal Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Broxburn UP Church | Broxburn | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Free Church, Kirkliston | Kirkliston | | West Lothian | Scotland | Spire |  | 1880 | Greenbank UP Church | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |  | 1880 | St Cuthbert's Wholesale Co-operative Association Headquarters | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1880 | Tenement, Marchmont Road | Marchmont | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1881 | 39-41 George Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Remodelling of ground floor of no.41 |  | 1881 | Junction Road Episcopal Church | Leith? | | Edinburgh? | Scotland | |  | 1881 | Mayville Gardens | Trinity | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1881 | University Pavilion | | | | | Design exhibited |  | 1881 | Villa for John Bell | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1881 | Woodside House and Lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations, fernery and winter garden |  | c. 1881 | St James UP Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job |  | 1882 | Chalmers Free Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1882 | Leith Sailors' Home | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design - not successful (Baronial style) |  | 1882 | Polwarth Terrace Church of Scotland | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1882 | Tenement, 155-195 Bruntsfield Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1882 | West Kilbride UP Church | West Kilbride | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 1883 | Edendarroch | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1883 | Mansion, Southdun | Wick | | Caithness | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1883 | Overton | West Kilbride | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 1884 | Mansion House of Eriska | Ledaig | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1884 | Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, North British branch | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | External alterations and doorpiece (watercouls dated 1893) |  | 1884 | St Andrews Free Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design - unsuccessful |  | 1884 | St Luke's Church | Broughty Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Bruntsfield Golf Club House | Musselburgh | | Midlothian | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Business Premises, Frederick Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Coats Memorial Baptist Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job |  | 1885 | Free Church at Woodend | Abercorn | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Free Church Manse and Cottages at Woodend | Abercorn | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Free Middle Church | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Design exhibited. Also exhibited 1887 |  | 1885 | North Leith Parish Church Hall and school | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won competition to secure job |  | 1886 | Edinburgh Café | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1886 | Edinburgh Castle, Argyle Tower and portcullis gate | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration - design exhibited 1887 |  | 1886 | John Knox House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration work including new interior panelling |  | 1886 | Red Court, house, coachhouse, stable, lodge and laundry | West Ferry | | Dundee | Scotland | |  | c. 1886 | Dean Free Church, Monument to Sir Henry Wellwood Moncrieff | Dean | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1887 | Alexander III monument | Kinghorn | | Fife | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1887 | Bernard's Brewery and Offices | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1887 | Edinburgh Castle, Parliament Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design for restoration exhibited |  | 1887 | Edinburgh Castle, St Margaret's Chapel | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited - for restoration |  | 1887 | Ferguslie Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1887 | Houses at Morningside | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1888 | Ferguslie Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Stables |  | 1888 | Jedburgh Parish Church | Jedburgh | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Additions, including alterations of apse to form sanctuary |  | 1888 | Library for Solicitors to the Supreme Courts of Scotland | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design (by invitation) - not successful |  | 1888 | Statue of William Chambers | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design of base |  | 1889 | St Matthew's Church | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Church erected. Design showing spire not built exhibited 1892 |  | 1890 | All Souls Episcopal Church | Invergowrie | | Perthshire/Angus | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1890 | St Leonard's Episcopal Church | Lasswade | | Midlothian | Scotland | Nave and chancel only |  | 1891 | Ferguslie Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Lodge |  | 1892 | St Cuthbert's Parish Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Improvements/rebuilding |  | 1892 | Troon Parish Church | Troon | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 1893 | Design for Coats Memorial | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | First premiated competition design exhibited |  | 1893 | Morningside Free Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited. Built 1892 |  | 1894 | Hamilton Lodge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1894 | Stevenston UF Church | Stevenston | | Ayrshire | Scotland | |  | 1895 | Bridgeness Tower | Bo'ness / Borrowstouness | | West Lothian | Scotland | Converted to observatory from windmill |  | 1895 | Kirk Memorial EU Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1895 | Victoria Halls | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | c. 1895 | 27 Primrose Bank Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | HS possible attribution |  | 1896 | Maxwell Street School | Innerleithen | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | |  | 1896 | St Duthac's Church | Tain | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | Restoration |  | 1897 | Dunipace House | Larbert | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Design for new library exhibited |  | 1897 | Masonic Halls | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | 1897 | Muirend | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1897 | Residence at Murrayfield | Murrayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Asylum | Uphall | | West Lothian | Scotland | Won competition and secured job - for Asylum. Kitchens 1904. |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 10) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 18) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 19) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 20) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 21) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 7) | Bangour | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 8) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, dormitory block (Villa 9) | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, Honeysuckle Cottage | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, hospital block with wards 3, 4 and 5 | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, Nurses' Home | Uphall | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1898 | Bangour Village Hospital, recreation hall | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1899 | Midlothian County Council Buildings | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Placed fifth in competition |  | 1899 | St Cuthbert's Parish Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Organ cases designed |  | 1900 | Glasgow Royal Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design - unplaced |  | 1900 | Larkfield House | Trinity | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | c. 1900 | St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Monument to Dean Montgomery | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | c. 1900 | Villa, Claverhouse Drive | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | HS: 'style of Hippolyte Blanc' |  | 1901 | Canisbay Church | Canisbay | | Caithness | Scotland | Report |  | 1901 | Carnegie Public Baths and gymnasium | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | Awarded commission after abortive competition |  | Before 1901 | Dr Chalmers's Memorial | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | Before 1901 | Kirk Memorial | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1902 | Coats Memorial Baptist Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Design exhibited for pulpit and canopy |  | 1902 | Jenners' extension | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | After 1903(?) | Schools | Stornoway | Lewis | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | Possibly responsible, with Douglas Pairman Hall as assistant - but may be by John Sim |  | 1904 | Bryson's, Princes Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1904 | Christ Church Episcopal, Macdougall memorial screen | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1904 | Markinch UP Church | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | Design exhibited |  | 1904 | St James UP Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Hall extension |  | 1904 | St Serf's UF Church | Almondbank | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1905 | UF Church Pitcairngreen | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | |  | 1906 | Bangour Village Hospital, power station complex | | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1907 | London County Hall | | | London | England | Competition design exhibited |  | 1907 or 1908(?) | Carnegie District Library, Baldridgeburn | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | Believed to have won competition but lost job to H & D Barclay (this may apply to the Townhill Library, Dunfermline) |  | 1908 | Bridge House | Midcalder | | West Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1908 | Carnegie Baths | Forfar | | Angus | Scotland | |  | 1908 | Ferguslie Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Partial refitting of interior |  | 1909 | Kirkwall Cathedral | Kirkwall | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | Competition design for restoration |  | 1909 | Swimming pool | Forfar | | Angus | Scotland | |  | 1910 | Queen’s University | | | Belfast | Northern Ireland | Unplaced entry in competition |  | 1910 | Villa, 4 Succoth Place | Murrayfield | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions |  | 1911 | Ardchattan and Connel UF Church | Benderloch | | Argyll | Scotland | |  | 1911 | Cinema House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Designer |  | 1911 | Holyrood Palace, King Edward VII Memorial Gates | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design - not executed (George Washington Browne secured job) |  | 1911 | Limekilns Parish Church | Limekilns | | Fife | Scotland | West bellcote added |  | 1911 | Usher Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design |  | 1912 | The Rialto Cinema | Soho | | London | England | |  | 1913 | Edinburgh Ladies College | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited; only half built |  | 1913 | Whitburgh House | Humbie (near) | | Midlothian | Scotland | Alterations, design exhibited |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Japan British Exhibition | 1910 | Japan British Exhibition 1910 | | | |  | Walker, Frank Arneil | 1986 | South Clyde Estuary: An Illustrated Architectural Guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew | | | p16, p20, p136 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Builder | 28 March 1863 | | | p227 (report of prize at Architectural Institute |  | Building News | 21 March 1917 | | | p247 - obituary |  | Building News | 16 January 1918 | | | p60 - estate |
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 v13 p142 no844 (microfilm reel 11) |
Images © All rights reserved. Building News 23 May 1890 |