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Basic Biographical Details

Name: Edward Grigg Wylie
Designation: Architect
Born: 11 April 1885
Died: 31 August 1954
Bio Notes: Edward Grigg Wylie was born at 12 Raeberry Street, Glasgow on 11 April 1885, the son of Robert Wylie, commercial traveller and brush manufacturer and his wife Agnes Robinson Grigg. He was articled to William Forsyth McGibbon from 1900 to 1905, during which period (from 1901) he studied at Glasgow School of Art and the Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, and from 1904 at the Glasgow School of Architecture where he took the full-time course and became close to Eugène Bourdon. At the end of his apprenticeship in 1905 he won the RIBA Silver Medal and the following year took up a place in the office of John Burnet & Son. During his time as apprentice and assistant he undertook five sketching tours in England and France, each of one month's duration.

In 1909 Wylie commenced practice on his own account, Eugène Bourdon having appointed him as a part-time instructor at the Glasgow School of Architecture. In 1911 Wylie entered into partnership with Alexander Wright.

The practice was closed during the First World War. Wylie served with the Durham Light Infantry and was several times mentioned in despatches, gaining the MC and bar; he was also made a Chevalier of the Order of the Crown of Rowmania [sic]. The partnership with Alexander Wright was resumed in 1919. Wylie was appointed an instructor at Glasgow School of Art under Alexander McGibbon in that year, and was admitted ARIBA under the war exemption scheme in mid-1920, his proposers being Sir John James Burnet, John Keppie and Thomas Lumsden Taylor. He was then appointed Professor of Architecture and Head of Glasgow School of Architecture in succession to Eugène Bourdon whose post had remained vacant since his death in 1916, but resigned in 1921 after only a year because of his fast growing practice.

In 1927 the practice moved to larger premises at 204 West Regent Street, business having grown enormously as a result of the competition wins for Hillhead High School and the Scots Legal Life Building. In 1928 Wylie's nephew, Frederick Robert Wylie was taken into partnership, the practice title now becoming Wylie Wright & Wylie, the changed precedence reflecting Wylie's leading role as both designer and job-getter.

The partnership with Wright was dissolved in 1935 by mutual agreement. Wright recognised that by both age and temperament he was no longer suited to the fast-changing nature of the practice, and set up his own which tended to specialise in alterations and additions rather than new buildings. In the following year Wylie took George Ferguson Shanks into partnership, the practice name becoming Wylie Shanks & Wylie.

In 1937 Wylie was appointed chief consulting architect to Scottish Industrial Estates Ltd and from that year onwards designed many of their buildings. In his Fellowship Nomination Paper he states that he was involved with schemes for the Scottish Industrail Estates to the value of £20,000,000. Not long thereafter he also became architect to Scottish Oils and Shell Mex Ltd. By 1947 the practice also acted as architects to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the Clydesdale Bank.

In 1946 Walter Underwood was taken into partnership, the firm name becoming Wylie Shanks & Underwood after the death of Edward Grigg Wylie in 1954. In 1949 Wylie was appointed OBE for his services to the Scottish Industrial Estates Company.

Wylie died of a cerebral thrombosis at his home, 8 Queensborough Gardens, Glasgow on 31 August 1954 on the eve of the opening of the Scottish Industries Exhibition at the Kelvin Hall for which he had been largely responsible, Lord Bilsland paying tribute to his memory. He left a widow, Elizabeth Wyper Forsyth and the then substantial sum of £48,562 11s 5d.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 929, Bentinck Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate19021903 
Item 2 of 939, Airlie Gardens, Partickhill, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate19031906 
Item 3 of 951, Rupert Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1906After 1909 
Item 4 of 9212, Bath Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness19111927 
Item 5 of 9311, West Princes Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1920 *  
Item 6 of 9204, West Regent Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1927After 1946 
Item 7 of 98, Queensborough Gardens, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 19461954 
Item 8 of 9120, Blythswood Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1949 *  
Item 9 of 912, Clairmont Gardens, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1954 *  

* 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 5William Forsyth McGibbon19001905Apprentice 
Item 2 of 5John Burnet & Son19061908Assistant 
Item 3 of 5Wright & Wylie19111928Partner 
Item 4 of 5Wylie, Wright & Wylie19281935Partner 
Item 5 of 5Wylie, Shanks & Wylie19361954Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6George Arthur Boswell11 March 1947for Fellowship
Item 2 of 6(Sir) John James BurnetMid 1920for Associateship
Item 3 of 6Andrew Graham Henderson11 March 1947for Fellowship
Item 4 of 6John KeppieMid 1920for Associateship
Item 5 of 6Thomas Lumsden TaylorMid 1920for Associateship
Item 6 of 6John Watson (junior)11 March 1947for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 7Douglas Gordon McKellar Adam12 December 1950For Associateship
Item 2 of 7Thomas Smith Cordiner11 January 1949for Fellowship
Item 3 of 7Ninian Rutherford Jamieson Johnston6 February 1951For Fellowship
Item 4 of 7Robert Govan Lindsay31 July 1952For Fellowship
Item 5 of 7James MaitlandEarly 1931for Associateship
Item 6 of 7Richard Mervyn Noad (or simply Mervyn Noad)10 October 1950for Fellowship
Item 7 of 7Alastair Frew Wallace (or Alexander Frew Wallace)10 October 1950for 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 751914House at MilngavieMilngavie DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 2 of 751917Possilpark Church Hall  GlasgowScotland 
Item 3 of 751921Hillhead High SchoolHillhead GlasgowScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 4 of 751921War MemorialKilbarchan RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 5 of 751923Warehouse, 242-252 Sauchiehall Street  GlasgowScotlandAlterations
Item 6 of 75192455 Mitre Road  GlasgowScotland 
Item 7 of 751925Margaret Hunter Building  GlasgowScotland 
Item 8 of 751925War MemorialGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 9 of 751926Albert Secondary SchoolSpringburn GlasgowScotland 
Item 10 of 751927Glasgow Dental Hospital and School  GlasgowScotland 
Item 11 of 751927Hillington Industrial EstateHillington GlasgowScotland 
Item 12 of 751927Scottish Legal Life Assurance Society Office  GlasgowScotlandSecured commission
Item 13 of 751929Lennox CastleLennoxtown StirlingshireScotlandConversion of Lennox Castle into nurses' home, and addition of numerous blocks on the estate to form hospital. Also extensive buildings for a theatre/cinema in hospital grounds proposed.
Item 14 of 751929Multi-Story Car Park Waterloo Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 15 of 751929ParkhallKillearn StirlingshireScotlandEast extension
Item 16 of 751931House at Rowardennan Hotel  StirlingshireScotlandAdditions
Item 17 of 751931House for John M Ross EsqGiffnock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 18 of 751931Offices, Ardholm Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 19 of 7519323 William StreetHelensburgh DunbartonshireScotlandConversion to two flats
Item 20 of 751932Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance and Junior Conservative Club  GlasgowScotlandAlterations - north end of Renfield Street façade reconstructed as shops
Item 21 of 751933Anderson and Robertson factoryMotherwell LanarkshireScotland 
Item 22 of 751933Craigpark Electric Cable Company's worksSpringburn GlasgowScotlandAdditions and complete reconstruction
Item 23 of 751933Milton's furnishing warehouse  GlasgowScotland 
Item 24 of 751934House for Frank M Marshall EsqWhitecraigs GlasgowScotlandWith Shanks mainly responsible
Item 25 of 751934Warehouse, 242-252 Sauchiehall Street  GlasgowScotlandInternal alterations
Item 26 of 751934Wylie & Lochhead's  GlasgowScotlandWarehouse (behind main building?) This is the address given in 'Architect & Building News'.
Item 27 of 75193525-41 Hope Street  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction and additions
Item 28 of 751935Cathkin Braes Golf ClubhouseCathkin Braes LanarkshireScotlandComplete rebuild?
Item 29 of 751935Messrs McKean's building (pork factory)Port Dundas GlasgowScotland 
Item 30 of 751936Maternity hospitalGovan GlasgowScotland 
Item 31 of 751936Wylie & Lochhead, new shop front  GlasgowScotland 
Item 32 of 751937Holm Foundry Administration Building and Amenity BuildingCathcart GlasgowScotlandAmenity block
Item 33 of 751937Premises for George Miller & Son  GlasgowScotlandAlterations - with Shanks mainly responsible
Item 34 of 751937Premises of Messrs Newman Ltd  GlasgowScotlandAlterations - with Shanks mainly responsible
Item 35 of 751937Premises of Messrs Spencer Ltd  GlasgowScotlandWith Shanks mainly responsible
Item 36 of 751937Weir's Welfare buildingCathcart GlasgowScotland 
Item 37 of 751938Carfin Industrial EstateCarfin LanarkshireScotland 
Item 38 of 751938Factory of Messrs Anderson & Robison (or Robertson)Motherwell LanarkshireScotlandExtension - with Shanks mainly responsible
Item 39 of 751938Funeral office for Wylie & Lochhead  GlasgowScotlandWith Shanks mainly responsible
Item 40 of 751938Larkhall Industrial EstateLarkhall LanarkshireScotland 
Item 41 of 751938Modiste Establishment for Renee Eme Ltd  GlasgowScotland 
Item 42 of 751938Office block for the Law Union and Rock Insurance Co  GlasgowScotland 
Item 43 of 751938Office building for the Yorkshire Copper Works LtdBarrhead RenfrewshireScotlandWith Shanks mainly responsible
Item 44 of 751940Craigpark Electric Cable Company's worksSpringburn GlasgowScotlandExtensions
Item 45 of 751942Service flats  GlasgowScotland 
Item 46 of 751944Factory or factoriesCarfin LanarkshireScotland 
Item 47 of 751944Factory or factoriesChapelhall LanarkshireScotland 
Item 48 of 751944Factory or factoriesNewhouse LanarkshireScotland 
Item 49 of 751947Biscuit Factory, FinniestonFinnieston GlasgowScotlandExtension
Item 50 of 751947Carruthers & Sons Limited Premises  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 51 of 751947Glasgow Maternity Hospital  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 52 of 751947Malcolm Campbell Ltd, Paisley Road  GlasgowScotland 
Item 53 of 751947Simpson Ltd Factory Larkhall Insustrial EstateLarkhall LanarkshireScotland 
Item 54 of 75Before 1947Engineering works of Rankin & Blackmore  GlasgowScotland 
Item 55 of 75Before 1947Factory or engineering works for James P McPhie  GlasgowScotland 
Item 56 of 75Before 1947House for Abraham Russell Esq  GlasgowScotland 
Item 57 of 75Before 1947House for J Russell Leng Esq  Glasgow  
Item 58 of 75Before 1947House for John McKean Esq  GlasgowScotland 
Item 59 of 75Before 1947House for William McPhail  GlasgowScotland 
Item 60 of 75Before 1947Rutherglen Town HallRutherglen LanarkshireScotlandScheme for restoration - or proposal for new building?
Item 61 of 75Before 1947Stonefield House and estate  ArgyllScotlandWork on estate
Item 62 of 75Before 1947Works for Lobnitz & Co, shipbuildingRenfrew RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 63 of 751948Factory Block No 111   LanarkshireScotland 
Item 64 of 751948Factory Block No 123   LanarkshireScotland 
Item 65 of 751948Factory Block No 19, BothwellBothwell GlasgowScotland 
Item 66 of 751948New Buildings, Industrial EstateNewhouse LanarkshireScotland 
Item 67 of 751949National Cash Registers (NCR) Factory  DundeeScotlandFactory extension
Item 68 of 751949Royal College of Science and Technology, James Weir Engineering Building  GlasgowScotland 
Item 69 of 751950Colston Milton Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 70 of 751950Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College  GlasgowScotlandExtension
Item 71 of 751951Rolls Royce FactoryEast Kilbride LanarkshireScotland 
Item 72 of 751952Cranhill Parish Church  GlasgowScotland 
Item 73 of 751952Newhouse Industrial Estate buildingsMotherwell LanarkshireScotland 
Item 74 of 751953Hillington Industrial EstateHillington GlasgowScotlandTo r-erect two factories destroyed by fire
Item 75 of 751954Scottish Industries Exhibition, 1954  GlasgowScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press Ltdp4
Item 2 of 3Post Office Directories     
Item 3 of 3RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Glasgow Herald2 September 1954  Obituary of Wylie
Item 2 of 3RIAS Quarterly1954WinterRoyal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS)Obituary of Wylie
Item 3 of 3RIBA JournalDecember 195462, 3rd seriesLondon: Royal Institute of British ArchitectsObituary of Wylie p83

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 Information on birth, parentage, marriage and death from research by Iain Paterson
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no3062 (microfilm reel 24); F no4241 (combined box 3)

Images

© All rights reserved. © and courtesy of Wylie Shanks 

© All rights reserved. © and courtesy of Wylie Shanks