Basic Biographical Details

Name: Thomas Brown II
Designation:  
Born: 12 April 1806
Died: 23 August 1872(?)
Bio Notes: Thomas Brown was the third son of the architect/builder Thomas Brown of Uphall (d.1833) and his first wife Janet Neil who had married in Edinburgh. Their first son, James (1800-45) became a Writer to the Signet. The second son, Robert, signed Thomas's death certificate in 1872 when Robert was living in Hampshire. There was another son, John, and a sister, Margaret. After the death of his first wife, Thomas Brown senior re-married Janet Ewing in January 1827 and had two further daughters, Wilhelmina Caroline Brown (1828-75) and Henrietta Margaret Brown who married John Deas in 1851.

Thomas was articled to his father and probably spent some time in the office of William Burn as an improver, some of his early houses being very much in Burn's style. In 1837 he was appointed architect to the Prison Board of Scotland and by 1838 had an office at 3 North Charlotte Street.

In 1814 the elder Brown was responsible for a 'new addition' (including a new dining room) at New Saughton or Cammo, Midlothian for James Watson, in 1827-30 he designed additions for Ormiston Hall, East Lothian for the 5th Earl of Hopetoun and in 1828-9 he altered and repaired Over Rankeillour House, Fife for General Sir Alexander Hope. Early in the 1830s either he or his son worked for William Adam at Blair Adam in Kinross-shire where he designed the Memorial (1833) and various gates and lodges, Temple Church, Midlothian was built in 1832 to the designs presumably of the elder Brown and the younger one altered Carrington Church, Midlothian in 1836. The latter is commemorated in Uphall churchyard.

In 1849 Thomas Brown II entered into partnership with James Maitland Wardrop. Wardrop was born in London on 16 March 1824, the son of James Wardrop MD, surgeon to George IV, and Margaret, widow of Captain Burn RN and daughter of George Dalrymple of North Berwick. He had been an apprentice to Brown prior to being taken into partnership. The practice of Brown & Wardrop was based at 19 St Andrew Square.

Wardrop gradually took over the design work relating to Brown's position as architect to the Prison Board of Scotland, his style and planning being closely based on that of David Bryce, in whose office he may have spent some time.

Brown's wife was Helen Neill whom he married in 1849; his daughter Janetta (Helen Janetta Julia Margaret) was born on 23 September 1853 and died on 4 February 1860 at 27 Royal Terrace. On 28 September 1853 Wardrop married Anna Maria, 5th daughter of James Dundas, 24th and last of Dundas, a financially unsuccessful inventor, at Dundas Castle. This widened the already extensive landed connections he had inherited from his mother. Much of his practice consisted of country house work; he also rebuilt a large number of country parish churches in a distinctive early decorated style.

Brown died on 23 August 1872 at 32 Royal Terrace, (his will was registered on 21 March 1873), Charles Reid becoming a partner shortly thereafter. He was survived by his wife Helen Neill who died on 18 September 1886. The chief assistant Charles Reid, who had been chief draughtsman in the firm and was a brother of A & W Reid of Elgin, was then taken into partnership, although the practice does not seem to have adopted the title of Wardrop & Reid until 1874.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 718, Windsor Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate   
Item 2 of 721, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate   
Item 3 of 732, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate 1872 
Item 4 of 73, North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness(?)Before 1838Before 1849 
Item 5 of 719, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1849c. 1872 
Item 6 of 727, Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1860 *  
Item 7 of 7Currie House, Gorebridge, Midlothian, ScotlandPrivate/business1867 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3Thomas Brown IBefore 1833Before 1837Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3William BurnBefore 1837Before 1837Improver 
Item 3 of 3Brown & Wardrop18491872 or 1873Partner 

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 3Robert Reid Raeburnc. 1835c. 1841Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3James Maitland Wardropc. 1839(?)c. 1844(?)Apprentice 
Item 3 of 3James Maitland Wardropc. 1844(?)1849AssistantPartner after 1849

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 1651830Temple Church amd session houseTemple MidlothianScotland 
Item 2 of 1651832St Nicholas Parish ChurchUphall West LothianScotland 
Item 3 of 1651833Blair Adam  Kinross-shireScotlandMemorial (and various gates and lodges in 1830s)
Item 4 of 1651838Carrington ChurchCarrington MidlothianScotlandTall Y-traceried windows inserted
Item 5 of 1651839Elgin Prison  MorayshireScotland 
Item 6 of 165Before 1839Haugh farmhouse and officesNewliston Fife/EdinburghScotland 
Item 7 of 1651840Sighthill Farmhouse  ArgyllScotland 
Item 8 of 1651841Calton Prison  EdinburghScotlandDebtor's block
Item 9 of 1651841General PrisonPerth PerthshireScotlandReconstruction of French Prison as General Prison
Item 10 of 1651841Luffness HouseDrem East LothianScotlandNew west front
Item 11 of 1651841Stonehaven PrisonStonehaven KincardineshireScotland 
Item 12 of 1651842Calton Prison  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 13 of 1651842Dingwall Prison, Sheriff Court and Police StationDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandCourthouse. Prison situated at rear of 1864 building
Item 14 of 1651842Dornoch Prison and former drill hallDornoch SutherlandScotland 
Item 15 of 1651842Town and County Buildings and prisonNairn NairnshireScotlandAddition of large prison wing
Item 16 of 1651843Dunfermline PrisonDunfermline FifeScotland 
Item 17 of 1651843Northern HospitalDunfermline FifeScotlandWest wing
Item 18 of 1651843Parson's Green HouseWillowbrae EdinburghScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 19 of 1651843Stornoway Sheriff Courthouse and prisonStornowayLewisRoss and CromartyScotlandAlterations
Item 20 of 1651843Tain Courthouse and prisonTain Ross and CromartyScotlandPrison
Item 21 of 1651844Berwick Courthouse and PrisonBerwick-upon-Tweed NorthumberlandEngland 
Item 22 of 1651844Cromarty Court HouseCromarty Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 23 of 1651844Inveraray Courthouse and PrisonInveraray ArgyllScotlandNew jail block
Item 24 of 1651844Kilberry HouseSouth Knapdale ArgyllScotland 
Item 25 of 1651844Peebles Courthouse and PrisonPeebles PeeblesshireScotland 
Item 26 of 1651845Ayr PrisonAyr AyrshireScotlandAlterations
Item 27 of 1651845Campbeltown PrisonCampbeltown ArgyllScotland 
Item 28 of 1651845West Hall, farmstead and farm offices, cottages etcMonimail FifeScotlandInspected work on farmhouse and offices - or the older Brown?
Item 29 of 1651846Ingliston House and lodgeKirkliston West LothianScotland 
Item 30 of 1651846Inverness Prison and courthouseInverness Inverness-shireScotlandPrison
Item 31 of 1651846Tain Courthouse and prisonTain Ross and CromartyScotlandCourthouse
Item 32 of 1651846The County PrisonJedburgh RoxburghshireScotlandNew block and alterations
Item 33 of 1651846Wigtown PrisonWigtown WigtownshireScotland 
Item 34 of 1651847Jedburgh Castle JailJedburgh RoxburghshireScotlandAlterations
Item 35 of 1651848Court House and Police StationLochgilphead ArgyllScotland 
Item 36 of 1651848Craighall, farmstead and farmbuildingsCeres FifeScotlandAdditions and alterations to farm builldings
Item 37 of 1651848Linlithgow Town Hall Linlithgow West LothianScotlandRestoration after fire of John Smith's original building
Item 38 of 1651848Stirling County PrisonStirling StirlingshireScotland 
Item 39 of 1651849Dornoch County BuildingsDornoch SutherlandScotland 
Item 40 of 1651849Easthall, Steading and cottagesMonimail FifeScotlandFive cottages
Item 41 of 1651849West Hall, farmstead and farm offices, cottages etcMonimail FifeScotlandFive cottages
Item 42 of 1651850Hartwood Hill House   Scotland 
Item 43 of 1651850Springwood ParkKelso RoxburghshireScotlandExtensive alterations and additions
Item 44 of 1651850St Roque's House   Scotland 
Item 45 of 165185133 Princes Street  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 46 of 1651851Dalmahoy House and lodgesRatho EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 47 of 1651852Brechin Castle and gate lodgeBrechin AngusScotlandExtensive alterations and additions and west gate lodge
Item 48 of 1651852Invermark LodgeGlenesk AngusScotland 
Item 49 of 165185331, 32 & 33 Royal Terrace  EdinburghScotland 
Item 50 of 1651853Kinblethmont HouseArbroath (near) AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 51 of 1651853Ormiston ChurchOrmiston East LothianScotland 
Item 52 of 1651853Philiphaugh Farmhouse  SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 53 of 165185556 and 56A Candlemaker Row  EdinburghScotland 
Item 54 of 1651855Dalzell HouseMotherwell LanarkshireScotlandAlterations
Item 55 of 1651855Fort George PrisonFort George Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 56 of 1651855Hilderston Farm  West LothianScotlandAddition
Item 57 of 1651855Miss Ivory's House  EdinburghScotland 
Item 58 of 1651855WallhouseTorphichen West LothianScotlandAddition of wings and rear towers
Item 59 of 1651856Church and Manse in EddertonEdderton Ross and CromartyScotlandAsked for plans and specifications for repair of building
Item 60 of 1651856Kirklands Farmhouse  RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 61 of 1651856Selkirk Episcopal ParsonageSelkirk SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 62 of 1651857Elliston House  RoxburghshireScotlandAlterations
Item 63 of 1651857Kirklands cottages  RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 64 of 1651857M Matheson's shop  EdinburghScotland 
Item 65 of 1651858Carrington ChurchCarrington MidlothianScotlandInterior alterations etc
Item 66 of 1651858Cranston Parish ChurchCranstoun Riddel MidlothianScotlandAlterations
Item 67 of 1651858Ecclesmachan ManseEcclesmachan West LothianScotlandRe-modelling
Item 68 of 1651858Labourers' cottagesShepperton-on-Thames SurreyEngland 
Item 69 of 1651858Lamington House  LanarkshireScotlandMusic Room addition
Item 70 of 1651859Kirkliston Free SchoolKirkliston West LothianScotland 
Item 71 of 1651859New Parish ChurchSelkirk SelkirkshireScotlandScheme for new building selected and executed
Item 72 of 1651860Dunblane CathedralDunblane PerthshireScotlandRoofs of chancel and north range renewed to a flattened section and south chancel parapet also restored
Item 73 of 1651860Fife and Kinross District AsylumSpringfield, Cupar FifeScotlandCompetition design
Item 74 of 1651860House for LivingstonePortobello EdinburghScotland 
Item 75 of 1651860New Crookston HouseStow (near) MidlothianScotlandReconstruction
Item 76 of 1651860Newton DonKelso RoxburghshireScotlandAdditions including porte cochere
Item 77 of 1651860 or 1862Wilton Parish ChurchHawick RoxburghshireScotlandUnsuccessful competition design
Item 78 of 1651861Linlithgow Old County Buildings, with courthouse and police stationLinlithgow West LothianScotland 
Item 79 of 1651861Lochinch HouseWigtown WigtownshireScotland 
Item 80 of 1651862Barnton HouseCramond EdinburghScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 81 of 1651862Borthwick ChurchBorthwick MidlothianScotlandNew church and alterations to chapel, especially west end
Item 82 of 1651862Hoscote HouseHawick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 83 of 1651862King's GrangeKirkcudbright KirkcudbrightshireScotlandAlterations
Item 84 of 1651862King's Grange, SteadingKirkcudbright KirkcudbrightshireScotland 
Item 85 of 1651862Stirling Old Town PrisonStirling StirlingshireScotlandMinor alterations
Item 86 of 1651862Wigtown County BuildingsWigtown WigtownshireScotland 
Item 87 of 1651863Alloa County BuildingsAlloa ClackmannanshireScotland 
Item 88 of 1651863Glenternie House and gate lodge  PeeblesshireScotlandHouse and porter's lodge
Item 89 of 1651863Linlithgow School and schoolhouseLinlithgow West LothianScotland 
Item 90 of 1651863Midcalder ChurchMidcalder West LothianScotlandRestoration of medieval choir and addition of transepts
Item 91 of 1651863New Calder Church   Scotland 
Item 92 of 1651863Nunraw, cottagesNunraw East LothianScotland 
Item 93 of 1651863Parson's Green HouseWillowbrae EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 94 of 1651863Town and County Buildings and prisonNairn NairnshireScotlandAlterations to prison
Item 95 of 1651864Ayton CastleAyton BerwickshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 96 of 1651864Ayton Parish ChurchAyton BerwickshireScotland 
Item 97 of 1651864CraichlawKirkcowan WigtownshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 98 of 1651864Dingwall Prison, Sheriff Court and Police StationDingwall Ross and CromartyScotlandAlterations to courthouse?
Item 99 of 1651864Killiechassie  PerthshireScotland 
Item 100 of 1651864Merecleuch   ScotlandDesigns only
Item 101 of 1651864Old Cumnock Parish ChurchCumnock AyrshireScotland 
Item 102 of 1651864Papillon Hall   Scotland 
Item 103 of 1651864Stirling CourthouseStirlingshire StirlingshireScotlandScheme for new sheriff court adjoining prison in St John Street
Item 104 of 1651865Belton House  East LothianScotlandAddition
Item 105 of 1651865Cockburnspath SchoolCockburnspath BerwickshireScotland 
Item 106 of 1651865Elphinstone Tower FarmhouseTranent East LothianScotland 
Item 107 of 1651865Kirkliston ManseKirkliston West LothianScotland 
Item 108 of 1651865Kirkliston Parish ChurchKirkliston West LothianScotlandAlterations
Item 109 of 1651865Methlick Parish ChurchMethlick AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 110 of 1651865Misterton Hall  LeicestershireEnglandAlterations and addtions
Item 111 of 1651865St Nicholas Parish ChurchUphall West LothianScotlandDesign for new church - not built
Item 112 of 1651865Stirling Old Town PrisonStirling StirlingshireScotlandAlterations
Item 113 of 1651866Arniston House  MidlothianScotlandNew library - with Adam Lumsden
Item 114 of 1651866Bieldside HouseWest Barns East LothianScotlandAdditions
Item 115 of 1651866Cowdenknowes  BerwickshireScotlandScheme to baronialise the house - only simplified scheme executed. Extra storey added to SW wing
Item 116 of 1651866Falkirk CourthouseFalkirk StirlingshireScotland 
Item 117 of 1651866Glamis Castle  AngusScotlandProposals for large new wing - not built - but 3 bays in range to E of kitchen block built. Gateways to walled garden (1866)
Item 118 of 1651866Markree Castle  County SligoEireAlterations
Item 119 of 1651866Melgund FarmRoxburgh RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 120 of 1651866Stitchel HouseStitchel/Stichill/Stichel RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 121 of 1651866Cuplahills Farm OfficeLeuchars FifeScotland 
Item 122 of 1651867Bracewell House     
Item 123 of 1651867Hopetoun, dovecote  West LothianScotland 
Item 124 of 1651867Lochinch House, Main Lodge  WigtownshireScotland 
Item 125 of 1651867Lochinch House, stable courtInch WigtownshireScotland 
Item 126 of 1651867St John's Episcopal ChurchSelkirk SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 127 of 1651867St Leonard's HallSt Andrews FifeScotland 
Item 128 of 1651867Villas at West GrangeGrange EdinburghScotland 
Item 129 of 1651867Wigton ManseWigtown WigtownshireScotland 
Item 130 of 1651868Castle Stuart  Inverness-shireScotlandRestoration
Item 131 of 1651868Dalkeith SchoolDalkeith MidlothianScotlandAdditions
Item 132 of 1651868Dunblane PrisonDunblane PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 133 of 1651868Nunraw Castle  East LothianScotlandLarge additions (various schemes from 1861)
Item 134 of 1651869Ardwell HouseWigtown WigtownshireScotlandLarge additions
Item 135 of 1651869Callendar HouseFalkirk StirlingshireScotlandRemodelling (was Wardrop & Reid from 1872)
Item 136 of 1651869Ederline HouseFord ArgyllScotland 
Item 137 of 1651869Forfar CourthouseForfar AngusScotland 
Item 138 of 1651869Forfar PrisonForfar AngusScotlandAlterations
Item 139 of 1651869House for SteedmanSelkirk? SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 140 of 1651869Lochinch Estate, White Loch boathouseInch WigtownshireScotland'Probably' (HS)
Item 141 of 1651869Melrose District AsylumMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 142 of 1651869Penninghame HouseNewton Stewart WigtownshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 143 of 1651869Reid HallForfar AngusScotland 
Item 144 of 1651869VillaGrange EdinburghScotland 
Item 145 of 1651870Donibristle Estate, North Lodge  FifeScotland 
Item 146 of 1651870Donibristle House, east lodge  FifeScotlandLodge and gates
Item 147 of 1651870Gospatric HouseDalmeny West LothianScotland 
Item 148 of 1651870Springwood Estate, Springwood Home FarmKelso RoxburghshireScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 149 of 1651870Springwood Park Home FarmKelso RoxburghshireScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 150 of 1651871Bridge CastleTorphichen West LothianScotlandAdditions
Item 151 of 1651871Galashiels ManseGalashiels SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 152 of 1651871House and offices for R R GlenLinlithgow West LothianScotland 
Item 153 of 1651871Langton ChurchGavinton BerwickshireScotland 
Item 154 of 1651871Longnewton Place  RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 155 of 1651872Airdit Cottage  FifeScotland 
Item 156 of 1651872Arniston House  MidlothianScotlandPorch and other alterations
Item 157 of 1651872Darnley HouseMelrose RoxburghshireScotlandAdditions
Item 158 of 1651872Harleyburn House, stables and lodgeMelrose RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 159 of 1651872House for Dr WrightDunfermline FifeScotland 
Item 160 of 1651872Kirknewton Parish ChurchKirknewton MidlothianScotlandReconstruction and addition of tower
Item 161 of 1651872Kirkton Manor ChurchManor PeeblesshireScotland 
Item 162 of 1651872Sheriff CourthouseStranraer WigtownshireScotland 
Item 163 of 1651872Springfield   ScotlandAdditions
Item 164 of 1651872 or 1873Stow ChurchStow MidlothianScotland 
Item 165 of 1651873Cromlix HouseDunblane PerthshireScotlandCould possibly be by Wardrop & Reid

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Colvin, H M1995A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-18403rd editionNew Haven and London: Yale University PressUnder Thomas Brown I
Item 2 of 3Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 
Item 3 of 3Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Edinburgh Sheriff Court Wills SC70/4/143; SC70/1/161; Brown's wife: Inventories SC70/1/253 and Wills SC70/4/221

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 4HM New Register HouseOPR (Register of births) See RHP21327-21849 for plans of prisons.
Item 2 of 4National Archives of Scotland (formerly SRO)Prison Commisssioners Minute Book  
Item 3 of 4National Library of ScotlandManuscript Collection MS354 B & C
Item 4 of 4Steven RobbInformation from Steven Robb (from Scotland's People website and other sources)