Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Donald | Designation: | | Born: | 1852 or 1854(?) | Died: | 9 April 1917 | Bio Notes: | James Donald was born in Netherton, Renfrewshire about 1854, (his date of birth variously given as 1854 and 1852, his age was quoted as 'about 65' when he died), the son of James Donald, gardener, and his wife Margaret. His pupil Thomas Smith Tait's RIBA Nomination Paper records that he was a pupil of Alexander Thomson, and that he worked - probably only for a short time - in Thomson & Turnbull's, previously unrecorded and so far unidentified Paisley office.
Donald commenced independent practice at 22 Caledonia Street Paisley in 1881 and quickly found his way into Liberal Party circles. He was elected to the local executive committee of the Liberal Party Association in 1886, and in the same year was commissioned to design the Paisley Liberal Club, a work which suggests that he had some acquaintance with the work of James Sellars and John Burnet & Son c.1877-80. Thereafter he had a reasonably prosperous practice which enabled him to move house from Abbey Street to Royal Terrace (now part of Glasgow Road) and eventually design and build his own house 'Dunraven' on Arkleston Road. He was admitted a member of the Liberal Club in 1890, served on its general committee and became its vice-president, but his membership terminated for unexplained reasons in 1900. During the same period he served on Paisley Town Council to which he was elected in 1886, representing the newly created 6th (Abercorn) ward until his retirement in 1912.
Donald's practice suffered severely from a court case in 1902. In January of that year he sued a Glasgow building contractor, Angus Kennedy for £107 6s 6d, the unpaid fee for a tenement in New Street, Donald having previously designed several others for him in Bothwell Street and New Street. Kennedy disputed the fee, but Donald's charges were held to be justified by two professional witnesses, Thomas Graham Abercrombie and the Glasgow architect George S Kenneth. Kennedy then claimed that he had an arrangement with Donald whereby the latter would waive his fee if Kennedy convinced a local landlord, Charles Watson, that 'his friend on the Council' (i.e.Donald) was the best man for the job of redeveloping Watson's property in Causewayside for which the Town Council's Improvement Committee was then negotiating. Unfortunately for Donald, Watson was called as a witness and gave evidence that he had been 'pestered to the point of impertinence' by Kennedy 'a man he barely knew'. The court ordered Kennedy to pay £45, but the bad publicity was followed by a Town Council inquiry into the allegations that Donald had misused his position on the Improvements Committee to gain business. These were found unproven: Donald remained on the Improvements and Public Health Committees until he retired.
James Donald moved to Greenock on his retirement from the Town Council in 1914 'having received an appointment in that town'. He died there at 30 Robertson Street on 9 April 1917. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | | | | | Dunraven, Arkleston Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Private | | | | | Abbey Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Private | | | | | 22, Caledonia Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | 1881 | | | | Royal Terrace (Glasgow Road), Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Private | 1888 | | | | 99, High Street, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | 1888 * | 1911 | | | 30, Robertson Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, Scotland | Business | 1917 * | | |
* 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 | | Alexander Thomson | (?) | (?) | Apprentice | | | A & G Thomson & Turnbull | (?) | (?) | Assistant | |
Employees or Pupils
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 | | 1884 | Paisley Liberal Club | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1887 | Greenlaw Free Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Third premiated competition design | | 1888 | Two tenements, 39 Broomlands | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | 10 Hunterhill Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | 12 Hunterhill Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | 38 Ferguslie | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1889 | 6-7 Carriagehill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and new byre | | 1889 | 78 Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1889 | Cottage, Chapelhill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | Cottage, Chapelhill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | Stable offices and cart entrance, 13 Thread Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1889 | Stonefield Laundry | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Stables | | 1889 | Villa, Arkleston Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | 8 Hunterhill Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Cottage, Chapelhill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Foundry shed, New Smithhills Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Grandstand | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations to roof | | 1890 | Licensed premises, Old Smithhills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1890 | Old Globe Hotel | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1890 | Tenement and laundry | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Tenement, Broomlands and John Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Theatre | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1890 | Workshop, Broomlands | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | 15 Sunnyside Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Abercorn Goods Station, machine shop and boiler shed | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Double villa, Sunnyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | House and offices, Arkleston Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Paisley County Buildings (Sheriff Court), Meeting Room and Offices | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1891 | Paisley Skating Club, Pavilion | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | Sherwood Free Church and church hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1891 | South Parish Church | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1891 | Stable offices, Underwood Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | 125 Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | 17 Abercorn Street, stable offices | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | 49 Moss Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1892 | Cottage, Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | Dunn Square, layout | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | Four-storey tenement, Clavering Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | St George's Halls | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1892 | Stables, off Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1893 | 106 Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1893 | Double villa, Arkleston Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1893 | Dykebar, gate lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1893 | Tenement, 18 Wellmeadow Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1893 | Villa, Arkleston Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1894 | 6 Hunterhill Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1894 | 83 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for additions and alterations | | 1894 | 84 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for additions and alterations dated | | 1894 | 9 Gauze Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1894 | Thread Street UP Church Hall | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1894 | Three-storey tenement, Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1894 | Two double villas, Hawkhead Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | Before 1894 | Dunraven | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Double villa, Hawkhead Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1895 | Equitable Co-op premises | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations to nos. 9 & 10 dated | | 1895 | Four-storey tenements, Caledonia Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Old Toll House Bar | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Shop and tenement, Gauze Street / Incle Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1895 | Tenement, Abercorn Street / Niddry Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1895 | Tenement, stables and store, Caledonia Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1895 | Thrushcraig Works, stables | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1895 | Villa, Greenlaw Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Villa, Greenlaw Drive | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alteration dated | | 1895 | Wakefield | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations and additions dated | | 1896 | 'Abercorn House' | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Attribution by Iona Beauly | | 1896 | Cottage for James Brown | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Main building and additions | | 1896 | Counting house and drawing office for Thomas White | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Equitable Co-operative Society | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1896 | Stonefield Laundry | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1896 | Two four-storey tenements, Sandholes Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | 13 Sunnyside Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | 18 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations to tenement dated | | 1897 | 34 Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alteration to shop | | 1897 | Abercorn Bowling Clubhouse | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Five four-storey tenements, Sutherland Street and Brown Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Four-storey tenement, 19 Moss Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Priorscroft Bowling Club | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Wall | | 1897 | Shop, 107 George Sreet | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1897 | Shop, 11 Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1897 | Shop, 97 Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1897 | Shop, George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alteration | | 1897 | Stonefield Laundry | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1897 | Tenement and shop, Mossvale Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Tenement and alterations to shop | | 1897 | Tenements, Incle Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1897 | Tenements, Maxwellton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1897 | Three-storey tenement and Old Swan Inn, Smithhills Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | 10 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for shop front dated | | 1898 | 13 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1898 | 188 Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | 39 Stock Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations on licensed premises dated | | 1898 | Eight four-storey tenements, Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Four-storey tenement, 21 Moss Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Shop, 18 Abbey Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1898 | Stables and bottling stores, Glen Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1898 | Two four-storey tenements, 33 and 34 Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1899 | 10 Old Smithhills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for addition dated | | 1899 | 20 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1899 | 30 New Smithhills | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alteration dated | | 1899 | 6 High Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1899 | Bakery, stables and stores, Back Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1899 | Business premises, St James Place | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1899 | St James Colour Works | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1900 | 10 Moss Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1900 | Bottling stores and business premises | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Double villa, Glasgow Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Four-storey tenement, Causeyside Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Four-storey tenement, New Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Four-storey tenement, St James Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Globe Hotel | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alteration | | 1900 | Stable, Maxwellton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Temporary premises, 3 Cotton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Tenement and stable, Causeyside and Gordon's Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Tenement, Cotton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Tenement, New Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Tenement, St James Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Three four-storey tenements, New Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Two four-storey tenements | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Two tenements, Falside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Villa, 14 Thornly Park Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Villa, Thornly Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Four-storey tenement, 'The Hayweighs' | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Four-storey tenement, Causeyside Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Four-storey tenement, Causeyside Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Four-storey tenement, Causeyside Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Shop, Maxwellton Street and George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Temporary Premises, Maxwellton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Tenement, Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Tenements, Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | 5 Wellmeadow Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | | 1902 | 6 Broomlands Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alteration | | 1902 | Bakery, stables and stores, Back Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Reconstruction of office | | 1902 | Cottage, Thornly Park | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Double villa (or villas), Hawkhead Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Double villa, Main Road | Elderslie | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Four four-storey tenements, Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Four-storey tenement, Causeyside Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Four-storey tenement, George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | House, Riccartsbar Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Shop and tenement, Canal Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Shop and tenement, Canal Street and Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Tenement and 'The Afton' public house | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Tenement, Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alteration | | 1902 | Two four-storey tenements, Maxwellton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Two four-storey tenements, Maxwellton Street and George Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Two tenements | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Two tenements, Well Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | Villa, 11 Thornly Park Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Cottage, Riccartsbar Avenue | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1903 | Eight four-storey tenements, Love Street / Albion Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1903 | Four-storey tenement, 'Harvies' | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1903 | Shops and tenement, Stow Street / Causeyside | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1903 | Store and office, 2 Glen Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1903 | Tenement and joiner's shop, 83 New Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1903 | Tenement, 23 Williamsburgh and 1 East Lane | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Double villa, Potterhill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Four-storey tenement and the Turf Tavern, Orchard Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Gabriels Public House and tenement, Gauze Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Kelburn Public House and four-storey tenement | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Tenement, Carriagehill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Tenement, Carriagehill | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Tenement, Garthland Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Three tenements, Argyle Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1904 | Three three-storey tenements and 'Charleston' public house | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | 94 New Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans for alterations dated | | 1905 | Four-storey tenement, Espedair Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Four-storey tenements, Broomlands Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Tenement, 7 Maxwellton Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Plans dated | | 1905 | Tenement, 83 Neilston Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Tenements, Broomlands | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Washhouses, Neilston Road | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | 47 Moss Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1907 | Four-storey tenements, Broomlands Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Two blocks of three-storey tenements, Old Sneddon Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1908 | Four-storey tenements, Broomlands Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | 30 Williamsburgh | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Alterations | | 1909 | Two four-storey tenements, Incle Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Two four-storey tenements, Neilston Road / South Campbell Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Four-storey tenements, Causeyside Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Good Templar Halls | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | Conversion of main hall to cinema | | 1910 | Two four-storey tenements | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1911 | Westmount gate lodge | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1914 | Caretaker's house, off Albion Street | Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Beauly, Iona | 1996 | James Donald Architect 1852-1917, catalogue of works 1886-1914 | 4 vols | Strathclyde University, Dept of Architecture & Building Science, Graduation Studies Special Project | | | Measurers\' Companion | 1911 | The Scottish Architects' and Measurers' Companion | | | | | Walker, Frank Arneil | 1986 | South Clyde Estuary: An Illustrated Architectural Guide to Inverclyde and Renfrew | | | p12, p14, p33, p36, p37 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette | 11 January 1902 | | | | | Paisley and Renfrewshire Gazette | 14 April 1917 | | | |
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