Basic Biographical Details

Name: Leslie Ower
Designation: Architect
Born: 1851
Died: 1 April 1916
Bio Notes: Leslie Ower was born in 1851 (christened on 28 April), the son of Charles Ower Senior and his wife Mary Fleet and younger brother of Charles Ower Junior. Educated at Dundee High School, he was articled to his father in September 1866. In 1872 he moved to Glasgow as assistant to the railway engineer James Fairie Blair for eighteen months which enabled him to study engineering at the Andersonian University. He returned to join his father as assistant early in 1874, his brother having returned the previous year after a period studying architecture at the South Kensington Schools. The practice became C & L Ower in May 1874, a date which probably marked the retirement of the elder Ower.

Although both Charles Junior and Leslie practised as architects and civil engineers, they had separate professional memberships. Charles sought admission only as AMICE while Leslie sought admission only as FRIBA. He was admitted on 16 June 1890, his proposers being William Mackison, John Macvicar Anderson, London, and John Holden, Manchester, the last of these also being an engineer-architect. Nevertheless it was Charles who wrote to the RIBA on 10 February 1892 setting out his views on architectural education, compulsory examination and registration, describing the current debate on whether the profession was a science or an art as 'Practical Architects versus Fancy men and Faddists.'

The Ower partnership was successful enough from the outset both as architects and engineers and it became an important teaching office. Both brothers were kindly employers by the standards of the time but in physical appearance and personality they were very different. Charles was a bigger-built bearded man, good with clients but difficult and somewhat excitable with a tendency to over-react within the office and at meetings of the Dundee Institute of Architects of which he was effectively the founder in June 1884: at the close of the meeting called by James Maclaren on the measurement of quantities he proposed a local professional body on the lines of the Architectural Association. Leslie was slim and, at least in later years, clean-shaven with a much more equable temperament. Tensions were evident from the beginning and by the 1890s, in the words of those who worked there, 'they couldn't pull together at all.' Although the architectural side of the practice seems to have been at its most prosperous between 1896 and 1898 when William Gillespie Lamond was their head draughtsman and had taken over much of the design work, the partnership was dissolved in the latter year.

Although both brothers retained a significant domestic practice the institutional and commercial clientele was largely lost following the break-up. Charles Ower continued in practice on his own account, gifting an important collection of architectural books to Dundee Public Libraries in 1900 to commemorate the relief of Mafeking which he believed would ensure an imperial future for aspiring architects and provided an endowment from which to buy more; but his own practice gradually faded and he isolated himself from the rest of the profession by his resignation from the Dundee Institute of Architects in 1903 on the trivial issue of its objection to the Dundee Wine Spirits and Beer Association seeking competitive tenders for licensing court plans. By 1914 he was practising only as a valuator from a backwater office in unfashionable Gellatly Street. He died unmarried at Benora, the large house he had built for himself in Broughty Ferry on 25 November 1921, leaving a moveable estate of £6,841 12s 0d.

After the dissolution of the partnership Leslie's blander style became more apparent, although a few works showed the more lively hand of Charles Geddes Soutar, who returned to his office in 1900 and remained with him until 1902 after a spell with John Murray Robertson. In 1908 Ower merged his practice with that of Blackadder & Allan on Robert Blackadder's retirement: there was a long-standing relationship between the Owers and the Blackadders as they had been neighbours in Craigie Terrace from 1866 to 1877. The combined practice of Leslie Ower & Allan was located in Ower's office at 5 Whitehall Street and now presented a considerably more up-to-date image. Born in 1874 and educated at Dundee High School, David Lindsay Allan had been an apprentice with John Murray Robertson from 1890 to 1894, remaining with him as assistant, and had studied at the RA Schools while in the office of Niven & Wigglesworth in London.

Late in 1912 or early in 1913 Leslie Ower was 'laid aside' by a serious illness but recovered. With business at a very low ebb because of the war, Ower retired at the beginning of 1916 while Allan was on war service, the practice being taken over by Thoms & Wilkie, whereupon, in Frank Thomson's words, Allan 'simply gave up'. Late in February of the same year, Ower became ill again and he died on 1 April 1916 at Belfield, Rosemount, Blairgowrie, a substantial mansion he had built for himself some years earlier, leaving a widow who was a daughter of the Dundee Corn Exchange merchant George Hill. His moveable estate amounted to the then very substantial sum of £16,801 14s 5d, more than twice as much as his brother had left.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4104, Commercial Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness1880 *After 1890From 1880 onwards
Item 2 of 4Craigie Terrace, Dundee, ScotlandPrivate1890 *  
Item 3 of 45, Whitehall Street, Dundee, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1908After 1910 
Item 4 of 4Belfield, Rosemount, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, ScotlandPrivatec. 19101916 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 6Charles Ower (senior)September 18661870Apprentice 
Item 2 of 6Charles Ower (senior)18701872Assistant 
Item 3 of 6James Fairlie (or Fairie or Farrie) Blair18721874Assistant 
Item 4 of 6Charles Ower (senior)1874May 1874Assistant 
Item 5 of 6C & L OwerMay 18741898Partner 
Item 6 of 6Leslie Ower & Allan19081916Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 5Charles Geddes Soutar18981899Assistant 
Item 2 of 5Arthur Boulton1898(?)1899 or early 1900sApprentice 
Item 3 of 5Charles Geddes Soutar19001902Chief Assistant 
Item 4 of 5David John Cameronc. 1902c. 1907Apprentice 
Item 5 of 5Arthur James Barclayc. 19061908Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3John Macvicar Anderson16 June 1890for Fellowship
Item 2 of 3John Holden16 June 1890for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3William Mackison16 June 1890for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 5Arthur James Barclay20 March 1911for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 5James Graham Fairley13 June 1892for Fellowship
Item 3 of 5George Jamieson27 February 1911for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 5William Macpherson16 January 1911for Licentiateship
Item 5 of 5Patrick Hill ThomsMid 1906for Fellowship

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 100 People's Journal OfficeStirling StirlingshireScotlandDate unknown
Item 2 of 1001874Dundee Courier and Dundee Advertiser Offices  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 3 of 1001875Jute Warehouse  DundeeScotland 
Item 4 of 1001875Tenement with North of Scotland Bank belowLochee DundeeScotland 
Item 5 of 100c. 1876Ryehill Congregation Hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 6 of 1001877Dundee Courier and Dundee Advertiser Offices  DundeeScotlandProposed completion by addition of tower
Item 7 of 1001877Houses at Loftus HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 8 of 1001877Houses on Broughty Ferry Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 9 of 1001877Tay Ferries Booking Office, shops and boathouse  DundeeScotlandOffices and waiting room
Item 10 of 1001877Wallacetown Church  DundeeScotlandAddition of large tower and other alterations
Item 11 of 1001878Jute Warehouse  DundeeScotlandAddition of storey to warehouse
Item 12 of 1001878Stewart & Son's Whisky Bond  DundeeScotlandTop floor added
Item 13 of 100c. 1878Ferry StationNewport-on-Tay FifeScotland 
Item 14 of 100c. 1878Row of single storey shops, Boat BraeNewport-on-Tay FifeScotland 
Item 15 of 1001879Dundee Courier and Dundee Advertiser Offices  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 16 of 1001879Dundee Perth & London Shipping Company Offices  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 17 of 1001879Houses on Ellen Street for William Benvie  DundeeScotland 
Item 18 of 1001879Tay Ferries Booking Office, shops and boathouse  DundeeScotlandLodge, barrow shed and luggage room
Item 19 of 1001880sMurroes Parish ChurchMurroes AngusScotlandProbably designed stained glass windows
Item 20 of 10018802 Roseangle  DundeeScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 21 of 10018808 Roseangle  DundeeScotlandOriels added
Item 22 of 1001880Scottish Banking Company  DundeeScotlandMajor reconstruction with new elevations
Item 23 of 1001880Seymour Lodge  DundeeScotlandOriginal house and additions
Item 24 of 1001880Tenement with Shops on Blackness Road and Watson Lane  DundeeScotland 
Item 25 of 100c. 1880Warehouses, Shop and Dwelling House for Mr Hynd  DundeeScotland 
Item 26 of 1001881Carnoustie Young Men's Christian Association BuildingCarnoustie AngusScotland 
Item 27 of 1001881Newburgh Public HallNewburgh FifeScotlandReading room and coffee house
Item 28 of 1001881Royal Exchange, Merchants' Shelter  DundeeScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 29 of 1001881Terrace of houses, Airlie Place  DundeeScotlandAlterations to No 1, including addition of mansard attic
Item 30 of 1001881Terraced houses, South Tay Street  DundeeScotlandRemodelling to form YWCA
Item 31 of 1001881Trinity UP ChurchNewport-on-Tay FifeScotland 
Item 32 of 1001881Villa for W G Thomson   Scotland 
Item 33 of 1001882Dundee Courier and Dundee Advertiser Offices  DundeeScotlandExtension to west end
Item 34 of 1001882Glasgow Municipal Buildings  GlasgowScotlandExhibited design for municipal buildings and public offices - unspecified but probably for the second competition - not successful
Item 35 of 1001882Hilltown Free Mission Church and SchoolHilltown DundeeScotland 
Item 36 of 1001882Ladywell Calender Works  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 37 of 1001882Offices and Warehouses for Bailie Philips  DundeeScotland 
Item 38 of 10018834 Gowrie Street, Houses for David Gemmell  DundeeScotland 
Item 39 of 1001883Balmerino Parish ChurchBalmerino FifeScotlandGothic remodelling
Item 40 of 1001883Dundee Harbour Office  DundeeScotland 
Item 41 of 1001883J Carmichael & Co Premises  DundeeScotlandWarehouse and new moulding shop
Item 42 of 1001883Panmure Street MissionHilltown DundeeScotland 
Item 43 of 1001883Pitlochry West ChurchPitlochry PerthshireScotland 
Item 44 of 1001883Terraced Houses, 2, 4 and 6 Hyndford Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 45 of 1001883Villas for Bailie Gentle  DundeeScotlandVillas
Item 46 of 100c. 1883Shipping Offices  DundeeScotland 
Item 47 of 1001884Dundee Custom House and Harbour Chambers  DundeeScotlandEnlargement of Harbour Chambers section
Item 48 of 1001885Kirriemuir Town Hall and libraryKirriemuir AngusScotland 
Item 49 of 100c. 1885Terraced Houses, 3, 5 and 7 Rockfield Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 50 of 100c. 1885Terraced houses, Rockfield Street and Shaftesbury Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 51 of 1001886Villas for Bailie Gentle  DundeeScotlandFurther villas
Item 52 of 1001887Balmerino Parish Church hallBalmerino FifeScotland 
Item 53 of 1001887Young Men's Christian Association Building  DundeeScotlandAdditions - cost £1,400
Item 54 of 1001888J Carmichael & Co Premises  DundeeScotlandAdditions to foundry
Item 55 of 100c. 1888TircarraBarnhill DundeeScotlandAddition of west wing
Item 56 of 1001889Carnoustie Young Men's Christian Association BuildingCarnoustie AngusScotlandFurther work
Item 57 of 1001889Downfield Free ChurchDownfield DundeeScotland 
Item 58 of 1001889Dundee Courier and Dundee Advertiser Offices  DundeeScotlandFurther enlargement - cost c. £3,300
Item 59 of 1001889Villa on Norwood Crescent  DundeeScotland 
Item 60 of 1001890Ann Street Works, Engine House  DundeeScotland 
Item 61 of 1001890Ardvorlich HouseComrie PerthshireScotland 
Item 62 of 1001890Constable Works Engine House  DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 63 of 1001890Duncraig  DundeeScotland 
Item 64 of 1001890Edward Street Mill, Logie Works  DundeeScotlandEngine House
Item 65 of 1001890Free St Paul's Overgate Mission  DundeeScotland 
Item 66 of 1001890Masonic HallLadybank FifeScotland 
Item 67 of 1001890Model tenements, Broughty Ferry Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 68 of 1001890St Mary's Manse  DundeeScotland 
Item 69 of 100c. 189057 Magdalen Yard Road  DundeeScotlandRemodelling and enlargement to west
Item 70 of 100c. 1890House for Leng on Blackness Road (Redcroft)  DundeeScotland 
Item 71 of 100c. 1890House for Watson on Blackness Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 72 of 100c. 1890House on Blackness Terrace  DundeeScotland 
Item 73 of 100c. 1890House on Perth Road for Peter Kerr  DundeeScotland 
Item 74 of 100c. 1890Semi-detached villas, Somerville Place  DundeeScotlandAlterations and additions - raised from single- to two-storey villas
Item 75 of 100c. 1890Villas, Albany Terrace  DundeeScotland 
Item 76 of 1001891Ward Foundry drawing office  DundeeScotland 
Item 77 of 1001892Home HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAddition
Item 78 of 1001892LindaBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 79 of 1001894WoodknoweBroughty Ferry DundeeScotland 
Item 80 of 1001895Tenements on Lyon Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 81 of 1001895The Anchorage  DundeeScotland 
Item 82 of 1001896Inglis Memorial Hall and LibraryEdzell AngusScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 83 of 1001896Lochee Road UP Church  DundeeScotland 
Item 84 of 1001896Pearl Assurance Building  DundeeScotlandDesign mainly by Lamond
Item 85 of 100189710 Dudhope Terrace  DundeeScotlandAddition
Item 86 of 1001897Bannatyne HouseNewtyle AngusScotlandAlterations and additions to form Bannatyne Home of Rest (additions since demolished, original house survives)
Item 87 of 1001897British Linen Bank  DundeeScotlandDesign mainly by W G Lamond
Item 88 of 1001898Park UP Church  DundeeScotland 
Item 89 of 1001899Ferryport-on-Craig Parish ChurchFerryport-on-Craig FifeScotlandAlterations at installation of organ
Item 90 of 100190011 Rockfield Crescent  DundeeScotland 
Item 91 of 1001900Balgowan  DundeeScotland'Style of' (HS)
Item 92 of 1001902Edward Street Mill, Logie Works  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 93 of 1001908Offices, 2 King Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 94 of 1001909Drill Hall  DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 95 of 1001909Drill Hall  DundeeScotland 
Item 96 of 1001909Ladywell Calender Works  DundeeScotlandFurther alterations?
Item 97 of 1001910CottageInvergowrie Perthshire/AngusScotland 
Item 98 of 100c. 1910BelfieldBlairgowrie PerthshireScotlandFor himself
Item 99 of 1001911Cinema, Shepherd's Loan  DundeeScotland 
Item 100 of 1001913Kirriemuir Town Hall and libraryKirriemuir AngusScotlandLibrary addition to west

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Architecture in Manuscript 1601-1906 Architecture in Manuscript 1601-1906, 1022  p303
Item 2 of 4Johnston, W T2003Artists of Scotland Officina Publications CDROM 
Item 3 of 4Post Office Directories     
Item 4 of 4Walker, Bruce and Gauldie, W Sinclair1984Architects and Architecture on Tayside Dundee: Dundee Institute of Architectsp173 et seq.

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Dundee Courier and Advertiser3 April 1916  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Personal information from Joseph Johnston, Frank Thomson and W Sinclair Gauldie (relayed from his father William Gauldie)
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F v10 p51, microfiche 108/A5