Basic Biographical Details Name: | Mackenzie & Matthews | Designation: | | Born: | 1844 | Died: | October 1854 | Bio Notes: | Thomas Mackenzie was born in 1814, son of Alexander Mackenzie, architect, St Martins, Perthshire, and his wife Janet Davidson. The precise date of his birth is not known, but he was christened on 9 October. He was articled to his eldest brother William Macdonald Mackenzie, and was in the office of his brother David in Dundee in 1835 when he submitted a design for the Watt Institution there, which was not accepted, George Angus's being preferred. In the same year Thomas moved to Aberdeen and would appear to have been briefly in the office of John Smith before moving to Archibald Simpson's, still in the same year. He remained there until 1839, publishing lithographs of Simpson's Marischal College, Market Street and New Market and of St Nicholas spire. In 1839 he moved to Elgin as principal assistant to William Robertson, who died in June 1841, his practice being inherited by his nephews Alexander and William Reid. Mackenzie then commenced practice in Elgin on his own account. He was successful at once, securing the commission for Elgin Museum, and went on to become an extremely accomplished classical and Italianate architect in a style developed from Simpson's late work.
In 1844 he formed a partnership with James Matthews, initially with Mackenzie doing most of the designing in Elgin, and Matthews attending to the management of the Aberdeen office. James Matthews was born in December 1819, son of Peter Matthews, a teller in the Commercial Bank in Aberdeen. His mother was Margaret Ross, daughter of William Ross, the architect-builder who had built Union Bridge. Educated at Robert Gordon's, he was articled to Archibald Simpson in 1834, and worked under Mackenzie's supervision. In 1839 he went to George Gilbert Scott's in London. On his return early in 1844, Simpson offered him the post of chief assistant with the promise of partnership in two years. He declined as he thought Simpson would be 'too greedy' (the Mackenzies, however, found Matthews 'a bit of a Jew'), and instead formed his partnership with Thomas Mackenzie. In the year of the formation of the partnership, Mackenzie & Matthews won the competition for the Free Church College (New College) in Edinburgh, in a competition assessed by Sir Charles Barry. The perspective, formerly at Bourtie, is now in the possession of Professor Alistair Rowan. The competition was set aside, however, and the commission given to William Henry Playfair. Initially the Elgin practice was much more prosperous than the Aberdeen one and in 1848 Matthews applied unsuccessfully for the post of head of the Edinburgh office of the Office of Works. The practice managed to secure the job of producing a prototype design for poorhouses.
On 22 July 1845, Mackenzie married Helen Margaret McInnes of Dandaleith, Rothes, at Rothes. The house and office was at Ladyhill, Elgin, to which he made Romanesque and baronial additions. In the late 1840s the London architect Robert William Billings became a particular friend when working on the Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland, their common interest in the subject resulting in Mackenzie being a particularly literate exponent of the Scots Baronial idiom.
Mackenzie died of brain fever - apparently brought on by an accident - on 15 October 1854, Matthews continuing the practice thereafter under his name alone. Just before Mackenzie's death an Inverness office had been established with William Lawrie in charge as resident assistant. Although not made a partner until 1864, Lawrie was given what seems to have been a free hand in the design work and for some years the Inverness office was the more prosperous. Matthews continued the Aberdeen office alone, and it was not until 1877 that Mackenzie's son, Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, was taken into partnership, having established a successful practice of his own in his native Elgin. Thereafter Matthews ran the practice as two separate partnerships - Matthews & Mackenzie in Aberdeen and Elgin, and Matthews & Lawrie in Inverness. When Lawrie died in 1887, the Inverness practice was inherited by John Hinton Gall (born 1848), who had been his chief assistant since 1872 and who continued the business under his own name, Matthews withdrawing completely from that branch of the firm.
Matthews entered the Town Council in 1863, and retired as a councillor in 1871. In November 1883 he was recalled as Lord Provost and held office until November 1886. He was mainly responsible for implementing the City Improvement Act of 1883. He was a director of the North of Scotland Bank, and its Chairman from time to time. He retired from the practice in 1893, and died at Springhill, which he had greatly altered for himself, on 28 June 1898. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 255, Union Street, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | | | | | Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | 1844 | | James Matthews | | Ladyhill, Elgin, Morayshire, Scotland | Private/business | 1844 | | Thomas Mackenzie |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | James Matthews | 1844 | October 1854 | Partner | In Aberdeen office | | Thomas Mackenzie | 1844 | October 1854 | Partner | In Elgin office | | John Russell Mackenzie | After 1844(?) | Before 1850 | Apprentice | In Aberdeen office, under James Matthews | | David Ross | c. 1850 | October 1854 | Apprentice | In Elgin office | | James Souttar | 1852 | October 1854 | Apprentice | |
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 | | 1844 | Forres Market Cross | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | May have been in partnership | | 1844 | Free High Church and Free Church College | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Won competition (although Playfair's design actually used) | | 1844 | Grange Hall | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Long rear wing added | | 1845 | Boharm Suspension Bridge, near Garbity | Boat of Brig | | Banffshire | Scotland | Repairs and improvements | | 1845 | Drummuir House and gatelodge | Dalmuir | | Banffshire | Scotland | Lodge, stables & Mansion house built. Also later Factor's House | | 1845 | Elgin Fountain | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Mackenzie responsible | | 1845 | Milne's Free School | Fochabers | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1845 | Villa and gardens, Bishopmill | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | c. 1845 | Leuchars House | | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1846 | Ardross Castle | Alness | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | Designs - executed by George Rhind | | 1846 | Double cottage | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1846 | Millbank House | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1846 | Newmill Manufactory | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and new roof | | 1847 | Aberdeen Poorhouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1847 | Alvie Manse | Alvie | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Baronial additions | | 1847 | Ballindalloch House | Inveravon | | Banffshire | Scotland | House, stables & lodge at Levit Bridge | | 1847 | Caledonian Bank | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1847 | Dr Cooper's House | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1847 | Market | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Mackenzie responsible | | 1847 | Nigg School and schoolmaster's house | Nigg | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | | | 1847 | North of Scotland Bank | Dufftown | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1847 | Orton House | | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1848 | Caledonian Bank | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | | | 1848 | Christ Church Episcopal Church | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1848 | Free Church School | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | | | 1848 | Lagmore Farmhouse | Ballindalloch | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1848 | New Market | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1848 | Nigg Manse | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | | | c. 1848 | Cawdor Castle | | | Nairnshire | Scotland | Extension of W wing, addition of short bay and tower to S wing begun | | 1849 | 1-6 Rubislaw Place and 21, 23 Waverley Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Took over and built Simpson's design | | 1849 | Brucklay House | New Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Remodelling | | 1849 | Chapel of St Andrew | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Conversion to public baths | | 1849 | Cottage | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1849 | Culloden Monument | Culloden | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Only partly executed | | 1849 | Ellon Castle (new) | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1849 | Ellon Girls' School | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1849 | Ellon Poorhouse | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1849 | Knockespock House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Proposals to radically alter house with Baronial tower - not executed | | 1849 | Rubislaw Estate feuing | Rubislaw | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Took over feuing and revised conditions (completed post-1861) | | 1849 | St John's Episcopal Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1849 | St Mary's Parish Church | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Tower completed to Robertson's plans under supervision of Thomas Mackenzie | | 1849 | Stoneywood House | Dyce | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Matthews responsible | | 1849 | The Gables | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Mackenzie responsible | | 1850 | Aberlour School | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1850 | All Saints Episcopal Church, Whiterashes | Whiterashes | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Original building | | 1850 | Arndilly House | | | Banffshire | Scotland | Remodelling | | 1850 | Ballindalloch House | Inveravon | | Banffshire | Scotland | Further additions to house and lodge built | | 1850 | Buckie Lodge | Buckie | | Banffshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions - the small out building attached to the back of the house and the high coombed ceiling on the first floor | | 1850 | Drumtochty Castle stables and coachhouse | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | | | 1850 | Free Church College | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1850 | Gollanfield Mansion House | Gollanfield | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1850 | House, Hadden Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1850 | Inveravon School | | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1850 | Kildrummy Manse and offices | Kildrummy | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1850 | Manse | Glenmuick | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | c. 1850 | Ballindalloch School | Ballindalloch | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | c. 1850 | Elgin Commercial Bank | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | c. 1850 | North of Scotland Bank | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | 'Probably' (Buildings of Scotland) | | c. 1850 | Orton Home Farm | | | Morayshire | Scotland | HS - 'possibly' Mackenzie | | 1851 | Aldourie Castle | | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | First remodelling, eastern tower addition, circular stair in the eastern re-entrant angle of the drawing room heightened to a Midmar-like form with a crenallted parapet. | | 1851 | Culloden House, Lodge | Culloden | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | New lodge | | 1851 | Dess House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1851 | Free High Church | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1851 | House, Brae of Coynach, Clola | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1851 | St Andrew's Masonic Hall | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1851 | St Drostan's Episcopal Church | Old Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1851 | Villa in Inverness | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1851 | Wartle House | Rayne | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1852 | 5-22 Rubislaw Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1852 | Caledonian Bank | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1852 | Holy Trinity Episcopal Church and parsonage | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Recasting | | 1852 | Lerwick Manse | Lerwick | Mainland | Shetland | Scotland | | | 1852 | Nairn UP Church | Nairn | | Nairnshire | Scotland | | | 1852 | Newton House | Alves | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and laterations with some internal remodelling | | 1852 | Rathen Manse and Offices | Rathen | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Provided alternative cheaper plan but Smith plan selected | | 1852 | Stonehaven Free Church Manse | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | | | 1852 | Strathdon Parish Church | Strathdon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Birsay and Harray Manse | | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | | | 1853 | Elgin Station Hotel | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Firth and Stenness Manse | | Mainland | Orkney | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1853 | Fraserburgh Town Hall and police office | Fraserburgh | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Holy Trinity Episcopal School | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Ladyhill House | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1853 | Seafield House | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Strichen Manse | Strichen | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Union Club House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1854 | 5th Duke of Gordon Monument, Ladyhill | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Statue added | | 1854 | Auldbar Estate, cottages | | | Angus | Scotland | | | 1854 | Balnagask Farm | Nigg | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | | | 1854 | Birse Parish Church | Birse | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Repairs | | 1854 | Cawdor Castle | | | Nairnshire | Scotland | Alterations - 'Gentle baronialisation' | | 1854 | Dall House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | House | | 1854 | Episcopal Church | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Completion of tower | | 1854 | Fife Arms Hotel | Lhanbryde | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1854 | Inverurie Manse and offices | Inverurie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1854 | Milton of Leys steading | | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1854 | Royal Northern Infirmary | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Porter's Lodge (and other work?) | | 1854 | St Mary's | Rothes | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and remodelling of earlier house | | 1854 | St Mary's Cottage | Orton | | Morayshire | Scotland | 'Probably' Mackenzie (HS) | | Before 1854 | House for Dr Geddes | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | Before 1854(?) | Old House of Glack and New House of Glack | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Unspecified work by James Matthews - unclear whether in partnership with William Lawrie or with Alexander Marshall Mackenzie | | Before 1854 | Pluscarden Priory | Pluscarden, Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Repairs? | | Before 1854 | St John's Episcopal Church | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | APSD | | The Dictionary of Architecture | ed Wyatt Papworth | The Architectural Publication Society (8v 1852-1892) | Thomas Mackenzie | | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | p97 | | Gifford, John | 1980 | Architects of the Highlands in the Nineteenth Century, A Sketch | No 7, September 1980, pp29-48 | The Scottish Georgian Society Bulletin, Edinburgh, 1980 | pp37,39 | | In Memoriam | 1898 | In Memoriam: an obituary of Aberdeen and Vicinity | | | James Matthews | | Lippe, William | 1979 | The Scottish baronial house in Aberdeenshire of the Mackenzies and James Matthews | | The Robert Gordon University post graduate dissertation | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Elgin Courant | 20 October 1854 | | | Thomas Mackenzie |
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: AGR Mackenzie; John G Marr; Ian G Lindsay; Robert W R Mackenzie (of Perth); Mrs Adams ('Dr Marshall Mackenzie's quine'); and David Stokes (interview with Charles McKean, 17 December 1985) | | Public Record Office | Office of Works Records | | Per David Grant |
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