Basic Biographical Details Name: | George Watt | Designation: | | Born: | 1865 | Died: | 18 December 1931 | Bio Notes: | George Watt was born in 1865, the son of William Watt (incorrectly given as George Watt in the Builder obituary), senior partner in the firm of G Fordyce & Co, Builders, Aberdeen and his wife Christine Mitchell. He attended classes in building construction at Gray's School of Art from 1887-89. He served his articles from 1879 with Matthews & Mackenzie where he worked alongside Alexander Brown (born 1853). He remained with them for a year as an assistant before obtaining a place in the office of Campbell Douglas & Sellars in 1885, where he worked closely with Sellars and Keppie and absorbed their style. He returned to Aberdeen in 1887 as assistant to Brown, who had left Matthews & Mackenzie to commence independent practice in c.1880. The aim appears to have been to take Brown's somewhat mundane housing-based firm more upmarket. Early in his career he was entrusted with additions and alterations at Crathes and in 1889 he won the local competition for Aberdeen Public Library with a Sellars-inspired design, Matthews & Mackenzie coming second and Pirie & Clyne third, his contribution being recognised with a partnership in 1891. The influence of Sellars remained strong as can be seen at Watt's splendid Beechgrove Free Church, the spire of which challenges comparison with those of William Leiper.
Watt was admitted FRIBA on 4 March 1907, his proposers being Robert Gordon Wilson Junior, Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon and Arthur Clyne. His nomination papers state that he had spent three weeks in France and Belgium in 1889.
Watt was married to Jean, a daughter of George Collie, a notable advocate in Aberdeen. Watt was JP for the County of the City of Aberdeen and served as Vice President of the Aberdeen Society of Architects. He retired in or about 1928. He died suddenly on 18 December 1931 at Bieldside house, an early 19th-century villa which he had remodelled for himself in an Arts and Crafts manner. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 4, Frederick Street, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | After 1887 | | | | 53, Jasmine Terrace, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | c. 1887 | | | | 17, Union Terrace, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | 1891 | After 1907 | | | 2, Ann Place, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private(?) | 1893 | | | | Bieldside House, Bieldside, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private | 1903 | After 1930 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA 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 | | | Aberdeen Ice Factory | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Date unknown | | | School | Rhynie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Date unknown | | | School at Dyce | Dyce | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Date unknown | | 1889 | Central Public Library | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As assistant and latterly partner of Alexander Brown on winning competition entry | | 1891 | Springbank Cemetery Lodge | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1891 | Three cottages, Holburn Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1892 | House, Poynernook | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1892 | House, Queen's Road West | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1892 | Old Machar Poorhouse | Old Machar | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Hospital buildings | | 1892 | Store, Market Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1892 | Two cottages, Blanheim Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | George Street Baptist Church | Gilcomston Park | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | Holburn Free Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | House and shops, Huntly Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | House, Fountainhall Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | House, Menzies Road | Torry | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | House, Mount Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | House, Summer Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | Shops and hall, Windmill Brae | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | Trinity Hall | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Addition | | 1893 | Two houses, Gladstone Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | Two houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1893 | Two houses, Mile End Avenue | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | Four houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | House and shop, Rose Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | House, Beaconsfield Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | House, Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | House, Hamilton Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | House, Roslin Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | House, Stanley Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | Two houses, Clifton Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | Two houses, Fonthill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1894 | Two houses, Holburn Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1895 | Atholl Hotel | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Addition | | 1895 | Four houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1895 | Peterculter Church | Peterculter | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Central south projection and T-plan north aisle | | 1895 | Saltoun Arms Public House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1895 | Sandeman Public Library | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Competition design - placed equal second | | 1895 | Two houses, Western Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | c. 1895 | James Fleming Monument, Aberlour Churchyard | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | 33-35 Miller Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Aberlour Primary School | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Beechwood House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Crathes Castle | Crathes | | Aberdeenshire/Kincardineshire | Scotland | Large family wing added, gallery restored | | 1896 | Four cottages, Belvidere Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Four houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Gilcomston Mills | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions | | 1896 | House, Broomhill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | House, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Hutcheon Street and Fraser Road corner | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Primary School | Craigellachie | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Six houses, Rosebery Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1896 | Two cottages, Mile End Avenue | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | 33 Albyn Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations | | 1897 | Beechgrove Free Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Won competition and secured job | | 1897 | Eight houses, Carlton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Great Northern Road School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Her Majesty's Theatre | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Supervised reconstruction of interior for Frank Matcham | | 1897 | House, Beechgrove Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | House, Redgrove Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | House, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Houses and shops, Rosemount Viaduct | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Kittybrewster Primary School | Kittybrewster | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Kittybrewster Public School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Mercantile Marine Offices | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Mission Hall for Belmont Street Congregational Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Property, Chapel Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Property, Huntly Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Six houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Two houses, Belvidere Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1897 | Two houses, Gray Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Aberdeen Steam Trawling Company | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Five houses, Thomson Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Four houses, Seaforth Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Grantown Free Church | Grantown-on-Spey | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | House | Bridge of Balgonie | | Fife | Scotland | | | 1898 | House, Fraser Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | School | Raemoir | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Six houses, Carlton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Three houses, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Two houses with shops, Belvidere Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Two houses, Bedford Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1898 | Two houses, St Andrew Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1899 | Central Bakery | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1899 | Drapery warehouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1899 | House and shop, Skene Square | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Four houses, Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Ingleside, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Lewis Shaw's premises, Forest Avenue | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Northern Co-operative Buldings | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Oldmill Poorhouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Ruthrieston UF Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Villa, 66 Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Villa, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1900 | Whinhill, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | Before 1900 | Glenrinnes | Dufftown | | Banffshire | Scotland | HS attribution | | 1901 | Butchers Arms public house | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1901 | Forsyth Hotel | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations? New build? | | 1901 | Four houses, Bedford Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1901 | Kincardine County Hospital | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Won competition to secure job. | | 1901 | Melville UF Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1901 | Premises, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1901 | Public School | Balmedie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1901 | Torphins UF Church | Torphins | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | Branch Library | Torry | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | Central Public Library | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Plans for new wing and reading room drawn up | | 1902 | House, Bon Accord Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Braemar Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | Premises for Great Grimsby Company | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | Two houses, Alburg Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | Two houses, Cornhill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1902 | Two houses, Richmondhill Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Bieldside House | Peterculter | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Five houses, Bedford Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Four houses, Hutcheon Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Grantown Grammar School | Grantown-on-Spey | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations | | 1903 | House and stables, Central Carriage Hiring Establishment | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Parish Manse | Kirkton of Glenbuchat | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | | 1903 | Six houses, Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Three houses, Albury Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Two houses, Albury Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1903 | Two houses, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1904 | His Majesty's Theatre | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Supervised construction for Frank Matcham | | 1904 | School | New Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Two houses, Abergeldie Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1904 | Two houses, Abergeldie Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1904 | Two houses, Fraser Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1905 | House and shops, George Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1905 | House, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1905 | Two houses, Holburn Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1906 | Nigg Parish Church Hall | Nigg | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Oldmill Poorhouse, Nurses' Home | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1908 | Burnett Arms Hotel | Banchory | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Wing to right added - perhaps by Brown & Watt | | 1909 | Aberdeen Provincial Committee Training College | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Competition design | | 1909 | Her Majesty’s Theatre | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations | | 1909 | Northern Co-operative Memorial Fountain | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1909 | Premises 57-59 St Nicholas Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1909 | Preserved Provisions Factory, North Esplanade | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1909 | Scots Church | | | Rawalpindi | India | Design made - execution suprvised by engineers of the Military Works Department | | 1910 | Morkeu House | Cults | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations- porte cochere, loggia etc | | 1913 | Craigellie House | Alyth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Rebuilding (modelled on Craigellie house, Aberdeenshire, by John Smith) | | 1918 | Fish Curing Premises | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1918 | Fish Kiln and Store Sinclair Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | | 1924 | Ballyrashane War Memorial Tower | Coleraine | | Derry | Northern Ireland | | | 1924 | Villa, 84 Queen's Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Remodelling | | 1925 | Shop, Hardgate | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
ReferencesPeriodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Aberdeen Weekly Journal | 18 January 1893 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Album of newscuttings on the work of Alexander Brown of Brown and Watt | | | | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Brown and Watt Scrapbook | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v17 no1224 | | Robert Gordon's University Archive | Collection of plans, manuscripts etc | | Several magazine articles, illustrations and photos relating to Brown & Watt - they belonged to George Watt. Also some personal photographs and original plans |
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