Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Cobban | Designation: | | Born: | 1873 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | James Cobban was born in 1873 in Keith, Banffshire, the son of James Cobban, house carpenter. He was articled to George Sutherland of Aberdeen and Elgin in 1890. After completing his apprenticeship in 1895 he secured a position as assistant in the office of McKay & Doig, Elgin. Throughout this period he studied at the Elgin School of Art and obtained many South Kensington Art Certificates. He commenced independent practice in Keith in 1898, and the following year was appointed architect to Lord Aberdeen at Haddo House, although he continued his private practice in addition to the estate work. He worked for the Earl of Aberdeen for 19 years. He was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, his proposers being George Sutherland, Robert Baillie Pratt and George Watt.
In 1918 the Aberdeen Cattle and Farm Produce Association Ltd opened an estate agency in Aberdeen. Cobban was appointed as their architect and surveyor.
He ceased practising in September 1923. He was taken to court in 1923 or 1924 as he had failed to pay the National Insurance and Unemployment Benefit for an apprentice and also National Insurance for his son who was an apprentice in his office. His defence lawyer stated that this was because he was in financial difficulties. He thought he did not have to pay the National Insuracne for his son. A trust was set up thereafter and the fiscal remarked that Cobban gave the authorities 'a lot of trouble'. He presumably ceased practising because of finacial difficulties. His son, Spence Cobban, emigrated to Rhodesia for work for the Gold Schists Land and Trading Company. However he had returned to Scotland by 1937 when he attended a dinner in Aberdeen with his parents to mark the 37th annual dinner of the Edinburgh, Aberdeen Banff and Kincardine Association.
Publications: Pamphlet on farm buildings, 'Transactions of the Highland Society', 1909. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Haddo House, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | 1899 | 1918 | | | Whinden, Tarves, Aberdeenshire, Scotland | Private | Before 1911 | After 1914 | | | 70, Ashley Road, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | c. 1924 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | Robert Baillie Pratt | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship | | George Sutherland | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship | | George Watt | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship |
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 | | 1892 | Tarves Parish Church | Tarves | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Organ chamber | | 1902 | House of Schivas | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration from ruins - as executant architect for scheme prepared by Sydney Mitchell | | 1904 | Balquhindachy House | Dalgety | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Bungalow | Methlick | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Tarves Parish Church | Tarves | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Porch and vestry annexe | | 1906 | Savoch Church | Savoch of Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Design for addition - south organ chamber | | 1908 | Church hall | Old Meldrum / Oldmeldrum | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Converted form the United Secession Church | | 1909 | Beaton Hall | Methlick | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | 'Buildings of Scotland' gives 1908-1909 | | 1910 | Higher Grade School | Tarves | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1911 | Millbrex Public School | Millbrex | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1911 | Tarves | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1914 | Craigdam Memorial Hall | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1923 | 114 Anderson Drive | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1923 | War memorial | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Who's Who in Architecture | 1914 | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Aberdeen Journal | 4 October 1899 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 15 September 1920 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 18 July 1924 | | | | | Aberdeen Journal | 6 March 1937 | | | | | Building News | 6 October 1899 | | | p440 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Census records online | Censuses | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v16 no 1186 |
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