Basic Biographical Details

Name: David John Alexander Ross
Designation:  
Born: 22 August 1898
Died: 25 May 1975
Bio Notes: David John Alexander Ross was born on 22 August 1898, the son of Neil Ross, labourer, and his wife Madeline Nicol. He was articled to Thomas J Munro of Inverness in 1915. He studied at Aberdeen School of Architecture, Robert Gordon's Technical College from 1921 to 1923, receiving his diploma in June 1922 and being admitted ARIBA under the war exemption scheme late that year, his proposers being George Watt, Robert Gordon Wilson Junior and John Wilson Walker. He undertook an 18-month postgraduate course at the College under the Archibald Dawnay Scholarship and was able to travel in France with the aid of the RIAS's Rutland Prize. At some point he also gained a qualification as an engineer and was as associate member of the Institution of Engineers.

On his return to Aberdeen c.1925 he joined John Alexander Ogg Allan and his brother Joseph Anderson Allan as chief assistant. He was responsible for the a number of the modernist schools designed by the firm in the 1930s, and in 1945 became a partner, the practice name becoming Allan, Ross & Allan.

He was admitted FRIBA on 1 April 1952. At this time the practice was based at 10 Bon-Accord Square, where Ross also appears to have been living.

He was found dead in Glencoe, Argyll on 25 May 1975, John Alexander Ogg Allan having died in 1955 and Joseph Anderson Allan in 1956. Ross had been married twice, first to Isobel Simpson, and second to Valley Isabella Thomson Sutherland.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 5104, Hilton Avenue, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate 1975 
Item 2 of 5Woodside, Inshes, Inverness, Inverness-shire, ScotlandPrivate1922 *  
Item 3 of 5Burnbank, Cults, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1936 *After 1950(?)1936 is date of Frances J H Mercer's declaration accepting Associateship of the RIBA, which Ross witnessed.
Item 4 of 510, Bon-Accord Square, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate/business1952 *  
Item 5 of 513, Bon Accord Square, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusinessc. 1970  

* 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 4Thomas J Munro19151921ApprenticeWith the exception of 2 1/2 years' war service
Item 2 of 4John Alexander Ogg Allanc. 19251945Chief Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Allan, Ross & Allan19451975Partner 
Item 4 of 4Ross, Doak & Whitelaw1954 Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6Joseph Anderson Allan1 April 1952for Fellowship
Item 2 of 6Edward Foulkes Davies1 April 1952for Fellowship
Item 3 of 6George Angus Mitchell1 April 1952for Fellowship
Item 4 of 6John Wilson WalkerLate 1922for Associateship
Item 5 of 6George WattLate 1922for Associateship
Item 6 of 6Robert Gordon Wilson (junior)Late 1922for Associateship

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 201925Gray's School of Art  AberdeenScotlandExtension - as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan
Item 2 of 20After 1925High School for Girls  AberdeenScotlandReconstruction
Item 3 of 20After 1925Housing for the University of Aberdeen  AberdeenScotlandEither as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan (if pre-1945), or as partner in Allan, Ross & Allan (if post-1945)
Item 4 of 20After 1925Kaimhill Junior Secondary School  AberdeenScotlandEither as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan (if pre-1945), or as partner in Allan, Ross & Allan (if post-1945)
Item 5 of 20After 1925Smithfield Primary School  AberdeenScotlandEither as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan (if pre-1945), or as partner in Allan, Ross & Allan (if post-1945)
Item 6 of 20After 1925St Peter's RC School  AberdeenScotlandEither as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan (if pre-1945), or as partner in Allan, Ross & Allan (if post-1945)
Item 7 of 20After 1925Stockethill South Primary School  AberdeenScotlandEither as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan (if pre-1945), or as partner in Allan, Ross & Allan (if post-1945)
Item 8 of 20After 1925West LeighPitfodels AberdeenScotlandEither as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan (if pre-1945), or as partner in Allan, Ross & Allan (if post-1945)
Item 9 of 201939Tullos Primary School  AberdeenScotlandResponsible as chief assistant to John Alexander Ogg Allan
Item 10 of 201948Higher Grade School Kincorth Kincorth AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 11 of 201952Garthdee Parish ChurchGarthdee AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 12 of 201953Robert Gordon's Secondary School  AberdeenScotland 
Item 13 of 201954Schools, Drumchapel Sites I and IVDrumchapel GlasgowScotland 
Item 14 of 20Before 1954St Thomas's Episcopal ChurchAboyne AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations? Additions? - uncertain if involved
Item 15 of 201955Garthamlock and Craigend Church of Scotland  GlasgowScotland 
Item 16 of 20Before 1955Hilton Junior Secondary SchoolHilton AberdeenScotland 
Item 17 of 20Before 1955Hospital buildings for North Eastern Hospital Board  AberdeenshireScotlandAdditions?
Item 18 of 201970Kingussie High SchoolKingussie Inverness-shireScotlandMay be other later partners rather than Ross involved at this date.
Item 19 of 20Before 1970Residential SchoolAlyth PerthshireScotland 
Item 20 of 20Before 1975Aberdeen and Dictrict Milk Marketing Board Creamery  AberdeenshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder30 July 1954  p198

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no3603 (microfilm reel 27); F no4688 (combined box 29)