Basic Biographical Details

Name: Walker & Ramsay
Designation:  
Born: Before 1904
Died: c. 1913
Bio Notes: Robert Walker was born at Summerfield, Leith on 27 January 1867, the son of Robert Walker, provision merchant, and his wife Helen Chisholm. His middle name James was added later. He was brought up in Fife where he developed an interest in Scottish vernacular architecture from an early age. He studied at Glasgow School of Art in 1885-6 and exhibited as a painter at the Royal Glasgow Institute for the Fine Arts from 1892. He worked for James Miller c.1900, assisting with the design of the Canadian Pavilion for the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1901.

Soon thereafter he entered into partnership with Thomas Ramsay. Ramsay had been born c.1876, had studied at Glasgow School of Art in 1891-2 and had worked as assistant to John Hutchison. Walker & Ramsay won the competitions for The Wolverhampton Exhibition of 1902 and for Kirkintilloch Town Hall in 1904 and subsequently engaged in further competition work with notable success in those for the Scottish National Exhibitions in Edinburgh (1908) and Glasgow (1911). The practice was based at 123 Wellington Street.

The success of the practice was not maintained after 1911 and in 1913 the partnership was dissolved. The following year Ramsay was listed in directories as being in practice at 131 West Regent Street under the title of Ramsay & Co, whilst Walker worked independently from an office at 108 Douglas Street, Blythswood Square, Glasgow from that time.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 1123, Wellington Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1904After 1910 

Employment and Training

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 7John Shanks  Clerk of Works 
Item 2 of 7Bridgeford MacDougall PirieAugust 1902 Assistant 
Item 3 of 7Thomas RamsayBefore 1904Before 1913Partner 
Item 4 of 7Robert James WalkerBefore 1904Before 1913Partner 
Item 5 of 7Alexander MacLauchlan Duncan19051907Junior assistant 
Item 6 of 7Alexander MacLauchlan Duncan19051912Chief Assistant 
Item 7 of 7Alexander MacLauchlan Duncan19131915Chief Assistant 

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 121902Exhibition buildingsWolverhampton StaffordshireEnglandWon competition and secured job
Item 2 of 121904Competition design for a public library     
Item 3 of 121904Kirkintilloch Town Hall and Municipal BuildingsKirkintilloch DunbartonshireScotlandWon competition to secure job
Item 4 of 121906City Hall front     
Item 5 of 121907Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders  GlasgowScotlandUnsuccessful competition design
Item 6 of 121907Perth Town HallPerth PerthshireScotlandCompetition design - unsuccessful
Item 7 of 121907Scottish National Exhibition, 1908Saughton EdinburghScotlandCompetition design - second premium but secured the job
Item 8 of 121909Edinburgh Marine GardensPortobello EdinburghScotlandlayout and rebuilding
Item 9 of 121911Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art and Industry, 1911, Palace of Fine ArtsKelvingrove GlasgowScotland 
Item 10 of 121911Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art and Industry, 1911, Palace of HistoryKelvingrove GlasgowScotland 
Item 11 of 121911Scottish Exhibition of National History, Art and Industry, 1911, Palace of IndustriesKelvingrove GlasgowScotland 
Item 12 of 121913Titwood Lawn Tennis ClubPollokshields GlasgowScotland 

References

Currently, there are no references for this . The information has been derived from: the British Architectural Library / RIBA Directory of British Architects 1834-1914; Post Office Directories; and/or any sources listed under this individual's works.