Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Cullen | Designation: | | Born: | 18 June 1856 | Died: | 21 January 1911 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Cullen was born on 18 June 1856 at Craigneuk, Wishaw, the son of William Cullen and his wife Mary Hill. Initially he was apprenticed to a builder, but he then attended Glasgow University and set up practice in Clyde Street, Motherwell in the early 1880s.
In 1889 Colonel H H Robertson Aikman commissioned him to reconstruct The Ross at Hamilton as a major house in the David Bryce manner: it was exhibited at the RSA and the RGI and was widely published, establishing his reputation. An office in Quarry Street, Hamilton was established to build it and undertake other work in the Hamilton area, Cullen having become architect to the standing joint committee of the County of Lanarkshire.
Cullen was admitted FRIBA in November 1898 on the recommendation of the Glasgow Institute of Architects: his proposers are not known as the relevant sheet is missing. By that date he had already been admitted FRSE, a very unusual distinction for a provincial architect.
In 1898-99 Cullen designed Brandon Chambers, Hamilton as his main office and Motherwell became a branch office. His practice prospered and by 24 June 1902 the business was so extensive with many commissions both public and private in the counties of Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire that he took into partnership James Lochhead and William Brown. Lochhead had been born in 1870 and articled to Allan Stevenson of Ayr, subsequently working for Henry Higgins of Glasgow and for the Office of Works before joining Cullen as a chief draughtsman and prospective partner. After Lochhead's arrival the work of the practice became extremely accomplished Edwardian Baroque and classical. Brown was the practice's long-time senior assistant. Born in 1873, he had served his articles with Cullen, remaining as an assistant before being taken into partnership. He was put in charge of the Motherwell office at 4 Clyde Street. Initially the practice name remained as Alex Cullen; it won the major competition for Hamilton Municipal Buildings in 1903, and a Glasgow office was established at Atlantic Chambers in Hope Street to supervise the Western District Hospital, a by-product of the competition for the Eastern District Hospital in which Cullen and Lochhead had been placed first but did not receive the commission. From 1908 onwards the practice was known as Alex Cullen, Lochhead & Brown.
Cullen had wide interests and was well read in architectural history as well as contemporary architecture and this is reflected in the varied nature of the practice's large library. In 1907 he gifted a proportion of this library to Hamilton District Libraries. Although these books have now been dispersed, the catalogue shows that in addition to the publications of Pugin, Scott, Fergusson, the Audsleys, Starforth and G A T Middleton, Cullen subscribed to 'The American Architect' and bought books on Japanese and Mexican architecture; and among his continental books was a copy of Guimard's 'Le Castel Beranger'. Cullen himself was the author of many articles on a variety of subjects and his book 'Adventures in Socialism', a history of New Lanark, was published in 1910. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland and at the time of his death he was President of the Architectural Section of the Glasgow Philosophical Society.
Cullen died at the relatively early age of 54 on 21 January 1911 at 3 Blythswood Square, and was buried at Bent Cemetery, Hamilton. By that date a Glasgow office had been established in Atlantic Chambers in Hope Street and he had a house at 3 Blythswood Square. His moveable estate amounted to £9,238 11s 2d, a very large sum for an architect at that date. He was survived by his widow, Barbara Rodger, and by three sons and two daughters. His youngest son, Alexander (born 1892), was in the first year of his apprenticeship with the firm at the time of his father's death. Anither son, James, appears to have also been an architect. Lochhead and Brown continued the practice, which was known thereafter simply as Cullen, Lochhead & Brown. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 6, Saffronhall Lane, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Private | | | | | Millburn, Dalserf, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Private | | | | | Craigneuk, Wishaw, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Private | 1856 | | Place of birth | | Quarry Street, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | c. 1889 | c. 1899 | | | 8, Clyde Street, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1896 | 1898 | | | Brandon Chambers, Brandon Street, Hamilton, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1898 or 1899 | 1911 | | | Atlantic Chambers, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | c. 1903 | 1911 | | | 3, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | 1911 * | | | | 4, Clyde Street, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1911 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | James King | c. 1871(?) | c. 1876(?) | Apprentice | | | Alex Cullen, Lochhead & Brown | 1908 | January 1911 | Partner | |
Employees or Pupils
RIBARIBA Proposals
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 | | | Craigneuk Police Station | Craigneuk | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Attribution; date unknown | | | Glenlee School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Date unknown | | | Greenfield School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Attribution; date unknown | | | High School | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Date unknown | | | Lanark Fire Station | Lanark | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Attribution; date unknown | | | Large House at Carmunnock | Carmunnock | | Glasgow | Scotland | Date unknown | | | Merry Street School | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Attribution; date unknown | | | Millburn | Dalserf | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Restoration - attribution; date unknown | | | Shettleston Fire Station | Shettleston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Attribution; date unknown | | | Shettleston Police Station | Shettleston | | Glasgow | Scotland | Attribution; date unknown | | 1888 | Bent Road School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Plans | | 1888 | The Orchard | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | Academy School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Proposed alterations and additions - in partnership from 1908 | | 1889 | The Ross | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Reconstruction as Baronial mansion | | 1892 | Tenements, Hamilton Road and Muir Street | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1894 | Burnbank Police Station | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1894 | Dalziel Co-operative Society Offices | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1894 | Midstone Hall | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design for entrance lodge and gateway exhibited | | 1895 | Motherwell Baptist Church and church hall | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Lanarkshire County Hospital | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Motherwell Police Station | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Skipton Infectious Diseases Hospital | Skipton | | Yorkshire | England | Second premiated competition design (£10 premium) | | 1897 | Young Men's Christian Association Institute | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Beckford Street School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations; plans for new cookery classroom and additions to infant department | | 1898 | Brandon Chambers | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Stonehouse Parish Church | Stonehouse | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Young Men's Christian Institute | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | | 1899 | Auchinraith School | Blantyre | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | | 1899 | Forfar Fever Hospital | Whitehills, Forfar | | Angus | Scotland | Second premiated competition design | | 1899 | House at Larkhall | Larkhall | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Bo'ness Public School | Bo'ness / Borrowstouness | | West Lothian | Scotland | Competition designs for extension to north - described as 'new academy' in contemporary sources | | 1900 | Carnbooth House | Busby | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design exhibited. Design also exhibited 1907 | | 1900 | County Hall and Sheriff Court Houses and County Police Office | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | County Police Office to Beckford Street | | 1900 | Eastern District Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design - not successful, but secured Cullen the commission for the Western District Hospital (see Notes) | | 1900 | Ferniegair Mission Church | Ferniegair | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Holy Trinity UF Church | Larkhall | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Police Buildings | Kirkcaldy | | Fife | Scotland | Competition design - placed second | | 1900 | Terrace of houses, Lanark Road | Rosebank | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | The Popinjay Hotel, Rosebank | Dalserf | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Probably new build | | 1901 | Lightburn Infectious Deseases Hospital | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations, including waiting rooms | | 1901 | New Century Theatre | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Working Men's Home | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Auchinlea Workmen's Home | | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Bo'ness Public School | Bo'ness / Borrowstouness | | West Lothian | Scotland | Extension to north-east - secured commission by competition | | 1902 | Lanarkshire Middle Ward and District Offices | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design exhibited - also exhibited 1903 | | 1902 | Larkhall Police Station | Larkhall | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Mossend Lodging House | Mossend | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | The Rowan Tree Inn | Uddingston | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Remodelling | | 1902 | Thornlie UF Manse | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | After 1902(?) | Gordonbank | Larkhall | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | May not have been involved - depends on date | | 1903 | Blairholme | Bonkle, Newmains | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Craigneuk Infant School | Craigneuk | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Douglas Chambers | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Douglas Public School | Douglas | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | | 1903 | Gaiety Theatre | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Rebuilding after fire | | 1903 | Grand Theatre and Opera House | Falkirk | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Hamilton Municipal Buildings and Public Library | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job; municipal offices only built before First World War (and continued after Cullen's death in 1911) | | 1903 | Jerviston House | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Restoration | | 1903 | King's Theatre | Kilmarnock | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Design exhibited 1905 | | 1903 | Kirknowe | Cambusnethan | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Omoa Combination Poorhouse | Cleland | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | St Andrews Church | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | St Machan's Church hall | Larkhall | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Vicar Chambers | Falkirk | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Western District Hospital | Oakbank | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1904 | 4 and 6 Keith Street | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Bothwell Police Station | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Coatbridge Carnegie Library | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Dalziel Poorhouse | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Won competition to secure job | | 1904 | Hamilton Parish Council Chambers | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Won competition to secure job | | 1904 | Kirklands Mental Hospital | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Nurses' home and cottages | | 1904 | Templehall Buildings and adjacent tenements in Quarry Street | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Tenements, 3-10 Kemp Street | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Tram Car Sheds and Tramway Power Station | Low Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Villa at Bent Road | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | c. 1904 | Hartwood Asylum | Shotts | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Sanatorium block added | | c. 1904 | Tenements, 14-18 Kemp Street | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Alexandra Theatre | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Acting as consultant architects | | 1905 | Clyde Chambers | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | County Hospital | Bellshill | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Dundyvan Church | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Dundyvan Manse | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Glenlee | Cardross | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Greenock and District Combination Hospital, Gateside | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Newmains Police Station | Newmains | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Overtown Police Station | Overtown | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Parkhead Model Lodging House | Parkhead | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1905 | Strathhaven School | Strathhaven | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Tenements, Brandon Street | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | The Moorings | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Udston House, Burnbank | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1905 | Wishaw Police Station | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | c. 1905 | Offices for the National Bank | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1906 | Braidwood Hospital | Carluke | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | New fever pavilion and administration block, new wards, and gatelodge | | 1906 | Dalziel Co-operative Society Offices | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Reconstruction after a fire | | 1906 | Hilltop, Blairhill | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1906 | Jarviston | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1906 | Russell Memorial Hall | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1906 | Wishaw Courthouse | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Board School | Carluke | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Heathery Park | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design | | 1907 | Lanarkshire Miners' Union Offices | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Law Infant School | Law | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | UF Church manses in the Highland area | | | | Scotland | | | 1908 | Langloan UF Church | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1908 | Masonic Temple | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Secured commission in competition | | 1908 | Primitive Methodist Church | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1908 | Quarter Police Station | Quarter | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1908 | Salvation Army Citadel | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1908 | Tarbert UF Church | Tarbert | | Argyll | Scotland | | | 1909 | Blackpool Central Library and Art Gallery | Blackpool | | Lancashire | England | Won in open competition | | 1909 | Burgh Hospital | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Chapeltoun | Dunlop | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Duthill UF Church | Carrbridge | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1909 | East Kilbride Public School | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1909 | Gourock Higher Grade School | Gourock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Hamilton Academy (and house at school) | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured the job. | | 1909 | House at Bothwell | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Low Waters Infant School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Tenements for Caledonian Railway Company | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Bar to north | | 1910 | Cambuslang Police Station | Cambuslang | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Club House, Hamilton Golf Club | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Co-operative Society premises | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Extensions | | 1910 | Donald Institute | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Secured commission by competition | | 1910 | House at Knowetop | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Saffronhall UF Church | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Extension | | 1910 | South Dalziel Parish Church Halls | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1911 | Bellshill Police Station and Fire Station | Bellshill | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1911 | Bluevale School | Haghill | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1911 | UF Church | Motherwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | Before 1911(?) | Co-operative Society premises | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Extensions - possibly involved, but may have been carried out by the practice after his death | | Before 1911(?) | Workmen's housing | Cleland | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Possibly involved, but may have been carried out by the practice after his death | | Before 1911(?) | Workmen's housing, Craigneuk | Craigneuk | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Possibly involved, but may have been carried out by the practice after his death | | c. 1912 | Blantyre Police Station | Blantyre | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | | | Stothers, Thomas | 1912 | Stothers's Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Renfrewshire Xmas and New Year Annual 1911-1912 | 1911-1912 | Hamilton | p374 | | Walker, Frank Arneil | 1986 | South Clyde Estuary: An Illustrated Architectural Guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew | | | p140 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Glasgow Herald | 23 January 1911 | | | Obituary | | Hamilton Advertiser | 28 January 1911 | | | | | Lanarkshire [Newspaper] Check | 25 January 1911 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v13 p13 (microfiche 117/E5) |
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