Basic Biographical Details

Name: Gildard & Macfarlane
Designation:  
Born: 1852 or 1853(?)
Died: c. 1862
Bio Notes: Thomas Gildard ('Gildey') was born at Luss (or Bonhill - sources vary) in 1822, the son of Jonas Gildard, hotelkeeper, and his wife Mary Taylor. In December 1838 he was articled to David and James Hamilton for five years, and probably remained with them after David's death until the Hamilton & Smith partnership was sequestrated in 1844. He never stated where he spent the next few years, perhaps with the Smith & Baird partnership which succeeded it, but c.1852-53 he formed a partnership with Robert Hutchison Murdoch Macfarlane. Macfarlane had been born c.1831, the son of Robert Macfarlane, cotton manufacturer, and his wife Helen Hutchison; it is not known in which office he was articled. Volumes which have appeared on the market with his crest bookplate indicate that he was able to afford an excellent library, and family connections saw the partnership off to a quick start.

The partnership was cemented by Macfarlane marrying Gildard's sister Eliza Taylor Gildard in the Alloway Hotel at Ayr on 28 September 1859, but it proved tragically short: Eliza died soon afterwards and Macfarlane himself died of consumption at 115 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow on 23 March 1862, the death being reported by his brother-in-law. He was buried in Glasgow Cathedral Cemetery. Gildrad continued to practice after his death until 1865 practising from home at 31 Elderslie Street, 1868. By this time he had joined the staff of his lifelong friend John Carrick, who had closed his partnership with James Brown to become full-time City Master of Works in 1854. He appears to have worked for Carrick and worked from home concurrently.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2163, Hope Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1853After 1860 
Item 2 of 2104, West Regent Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1862 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2Thomas Gildard1852 or 1853(?)1862Partner 
Item 2 of 2Robert Hutchison Murdoch Macfarlane1852 or 1853(?)1862Partner 

Buildings and Designs

This 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 61853Unitarian Church  GlasgowScotlandCompetition designs - not successful
Item 2 of 61854Clyde Thread Works  GlasgowScotland 
Item 3 of 61856Belgrave Terrace  GlasgowScotland 
Item 4 of 61857ArdenvohrRhu/Row DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 5 of 61857Campbell's Music Salon  GlasgowScotlandRe-facing of earlier warehouse and construction of music hall
Item 6 of 61858Seafield TowerArdrossan AyrshireScotlandAdditions

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Architects Engineers and Building Trades Directory1868Architect's, Engineer's and Building Trades' Directory London, Wyman 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Builders Journal10 December 1895  Obituary of Thomas Gildard
Item 2 of 3Glasgow Herald6 December 1895  Obituary of Thomas Gildard
Item 3 of 3The Bailie12 June 1889no 869 'Men You Know' - portrait etc.

Archive References

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