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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Westerlea, North Berwick, East Lothian, Scotland | Private | Before 1911 | After 1914 | | | 1, South Charlotte Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1911 | c. 1912 | |
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 | | Robert Wilson | August 1898 | 1 July 1901 | Apprentice | | | John Alexander Carfrae | 1 July 1901 | Early 1908 | Assistant | |
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | James Bow Dunn | 20 July 1911 | for Licentiateship - as president of the Edinburgh Architectural Association |
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 | | 1902 | Boroughmuir Higher Grade School (1st school) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, School Board Architect | | 1902 | Broughton Higher Grade School | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Addition to McDonald Road - as assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, School Board Architect | | 1903 | Albion Road School | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As assistant to John Alexander Carfrae, School Board Architect | | After 1908 | 8 Seton Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | c. 1908 | Causewayside Lads' Institute | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | In collaboration with John Duncan MacLeod | | 1910 | Whitefoord House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and additions |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | Who's Who in Architecture | 1914 | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Scotsman | 2 February 1911 | | | p2 - reference to pamphlet, 'Modern Humanity' | | Scotsman | 13 April 1932 | | | p16 - 'A Curious Mental Sensation', letter by de Spiganovicz on the phenomenon of deja-vu |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v20 no1597 |
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