Basic Biographical Details

Name: Victor James de Spiganovicz
Designation:  
Born: 15 October 1881
Died:  
Bio Notes: Victor James de Spiganovicz was born on 15 October 1881 and articled to Edinburgh School Board architect Robert Wilson in August 1898. When Wilson died in 1901, Spiganovicz continued as assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, his successor as School Board architect. De Spiganovicz left Carfrae at the beginning of 1908 and spent several months in America before commencing practice on his own account, presumably in Edinburgh. He was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, proposed by James Bow Dunn and the Edinburgh Architectural Association. His office at that date was at 1 South Charlotte Street, and his nomination papers state that prior to that he had also travelled in France and Belgium, and had written three booklets on social problems. A pamphlet by him entitled 'Modern Humanity' had been published by J Bain & Sons earlier that year, and was described in 'The Scotsman' as 'a descriptive essay which touches lightly, yet thoughtfully, on the characteristics of the various ages of man, and on the pleasures and riddles of life'.

De Spiganovicz was still alive and writing to 'The Scotsman' in 1932, his letter on the phenomenon of déjà-vu entitled 'A Curious Mental Sensation' being published on 13 April that year; no reference to him beyond that date has yet been found.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Westerlea, North Berwick, East Lothian, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1911After 1914 
Item 2 of 21, South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1911c. 1912 

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2Robert WilsonAugust 18981 July 1901Apprentice 
Item 2 of 2John Alexander Carfrae1 July 1901Early 1908Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 1James Bow Dunn20 July 1911for Licentiateship - as president of the Edinburgh Architectural Association

Buildings and Designs

This 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 61902Boroughmuir Higher Grade School (1st school)  EdinburghScotlandAs assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, School Board Architect
Item 2 of 61902Broughton Higher Grade School  EdinburghScotlandAddition to McDonald Road - as assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, School Board Architect
Item 3 of 61903Albion Road School  EdinburghScotlandAs assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, School Board Architect
Item 4 of 6After 19088 Seton Place  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 5 of 6c. 1908Causewayside Lads' Institute  EdinburghScotlandIn collaboration with John Duncan MacLeod
Item 6 of 61910Whitefoord House  EdinburghScotlandAlterations and additions

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Post Office Directories     
Item 2 of 2Who's Who in Architecture1914    

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Scotsman2 February 1911  p2 - reference to pamphlet, 'Modern Humanity'
Item 2 of 2Scotsman13 April 1932  p16 - 'A Curious Mental Sensation', letter by de Spiganovicz on the phenomenon of deja-vu

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L v20 no1597