Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Davidson | Designation: | | Born: | 17 May 1839 | Died: | 2 January 1908 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Davidson was born 17 May 1839, the son of Samuel Davidson of 9 Rose Street, Edinburgh and later of 6 William Street, Edinburgh and of Mary Kennedy. An RSA student, he was recommended to the Trustees' Academy by Walter Carmichael. He entered on 23 June 1856 and left on 30 June in the same year. He was articled to John Henderson in whose office he met and befriended the young George Henderson, also an articled clerk. After Henderson's early death in 1862, Davidson was persuaded by Rev John Cooper, related by marriage to the Davidson family, then on a visit to Edinburgh in mid-1864, to emigrate to Australia to undertake work there for Cooper's congregation. Davidson, accompanied by his young cousin and future wife, Eugenia Cooper Davidson, departed for Australia in the autumn of the same year. (They were married the following year). Within a few months he designed a church for Cooper's Presbyterian congregation at Rokewood in Victoria. After a dispute with his congregation over the payment of his stipend, Cooper left Rokewood, though Davidson remained there, gaining the patronage of local families, in particular Scottish émigrés.
In May 1867 George Henderson arrived in Australia, presumably persuaded by his friend Davidson and by the promise of colonial work. At first he acted as an unpaid associate to Davidson, though before long both Henderson and Davidson were able to send money home to assist their respective families, a number of large commissions coming their way in late 1868 and in early 1869 and the practice moved to Geelong in Victoria. A partnership was formalised in late 1869, with Davidson receiving 2/3 of the profit and the younger partner 1/3. In early 1870 the partners won the important commission of Geelong College in Newtown and in line with stylistic developments in Britain used for the first time 'constructional polychromy'. A venture in the field of speculative building in Geelong was however not a success and a series of unfortunate episodes of losing jobs to other architects and disputes with contractors (relating to a clause written by the practice in their terms of agreement about their right to be the sole judge of quality without arbitration) caused them financial difficulties. Moreover in the early 1870s there was a short depression in the wool industry and some sources of work temporarily dried up.
The first partnership ended in December 1873 and although a new one was formalised in July 1874 with Davidson now receiving 5/9 of the profits, by this time Henderson who had lived with Davidson and his wife since his arrival in Australia found this arrangement a strain. Moreover he was becoming disillusioned with the work. Henderson largely fulfilled the role of office manager and was responsible for the costing of the jobs. It is unclear how much hand he had in design work. Only occasionally did he make site visits. In December 1875 he received an offer of work from William Hay in Edinburgh and the Davidson/Henderson partnership was terminated on less than friendly terms in April 1876, Henderson sailing home later that year.
In the later 1870s Davidson, now trading under the name Alexander Davidson & Co, ran into personal and financial difficulties. Two of his children died of diptheria and he created ill feeling in Geelong when standing for election to the Town Council in Geelong by denouncing another candidate, a rival local architect. After a short-lived association with the Melbourne architect E G Ovey, formed for the construction of a hotel in Collins Street in East Melbourne he announced that he intended to conduct offices at Temple Court in Melbourne as well as at Malop Street in Geelong. A short-lived partnership with George Raymond Johnson in 1881 in the venture to reconstruct the Geelong Exhibition Building was disastrous when he failed to win the contract. A major commission for the Colac Shire Hall commission was postponed. In July 1882 he closed the Geelonmg office and left finally for Melbourne. Between June 1885 and March 1887 he held the appointment of Architect for the Melbourne Tramway Trust. He remained in Melbourne until his death from an asthma attack on 2 January 1908. In his later years he reverted to using the Jacobean style he had used as an apprentice in John Henderson's office though he always retained a passion for Medieval sources and in particular those illustrated by Viollet-le-Duc. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Rokewood, Victoria, Australia | Business | 1864 | 1869 | | | Geelong, Victoria, Australia | Business | 1869 | | | | Hope Street, West Geelong, Victoria, Australia | Business | After 1877 | | | | Brunswick, Melbourne, Australia | Private | c. 1881 | | | | 62, Collins Street East, Melbourne, Australia | Business | 31 July 1882 | 1884 | | | O'Connor's Chambers/100, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia | Business | 1884 | 1887 | | | 75, Chancery Lane, Melbourne, Australia | Business | 1888 | 1888 | | | 117, Elizabeth Street, Melbourne, Australia | Business | 1888 | 1893 | | | 84, Powlett Street, Melbourne, Australia | Business | 1894 | 1906 | | | 11, Madden Grove, Albert Park, Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia | Private | c. 1908 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | George Henderson | 1867 | Late 1869 | Assistant | | | J Hill Kays | After 1884 | Before 1886 | Assistant | |
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 | | 1865 | Kurac-a-Ruc Homestead | Rokewood | | Victoria | Australia | Additions | | 1865 | Rokewood Episcopalian Church | Rokewood | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1865 | Rokewood Presbyterian Church | Rokewood | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1866 | House, Gala | Lismore | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1867 | Residence, Barunah Plains Station | Inverleigh | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1867 | Wesleyan Church | Mortlake | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1867 | Wurrock | Rokewood | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1868 | Common School, Ondit | Ondit | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1868 | Kuruc-a-Ruc, Overseer's House | Rokewood | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1868 | Mechanics Institute | Rokewood | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1868 | Residence, Watch Hill | Colac | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1869 | Barwon Park | Winchelsea | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1869 | Episcopal Church | Colac | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1869 | Homestead Eilyer | Lake Bolac | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1869 | National Insurance Company Building | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1869 | Victoria Woollen and Cloth Manfacturing Co | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1869 | Wesleyan Parsonage | Ashby | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Belleville | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Geelong College, Newtown Hall | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Honddu double villas | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Oddfellows Hall | Colac | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Presbyterian Church | Ceres | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Residence, Myer Street | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1870 | Titanga Residence and Station Buildings | Lismore | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1871 | Erskine Church | Carlton | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1871 | Grandstand for Geelong Racing Club | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1871 | Mooleric Residence | Mount Gellibrand | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1871 | Presbyterian Manse | Shelford | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1871 | Prsebyterian Church | Skipton | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Excell Lonargon & Co warehouse | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Geelong Hospital, Lunatic Wards | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Larra Homestead, stable and offices | Lismore | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Monument to Thomas Austin | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Narrepumelap Homestead | Wickliffe | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Presbyterian Manse | Lismore | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Residence, Mount Mercer | Mount Mercer | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1872 | Sydney Hotel | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Dwelling House, Myers and Fenwick Street corner | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Eastern Cemetery, lodge and gates | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Eurack | Mount Hesse | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Geelong Infirmary and Benevolent Asylum | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | Arcaded verandahs | | 1873 | House, Gala | Lismore | | Victoria | Australia | Additions | | 1873 | Mooramong Homestead | Skipton | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Residence, Cooinda Elliots Hill | Bellarine | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Residence, Newtown Hill | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Residence, Victoria Parade | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | United Methodist Free Church | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1873 | Yeo Homesread | Colac | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1874 | Barwon Woollen Mill | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1874 | George Street Woolstores | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | New store | | 1874 | Glen Alvie | Colac | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1874 | Synnot and Co Wool Warehouse | Gellong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1875 | Geelong Free Library | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1875 | Victoria Hotel | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1875 | Wesleyan Parsonage | Chilwell | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1876 | Fernside Villa and stables | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1876 | Homestead Eilyer | Lake Bolac | | Victoria | Australia | Additions | | 1876 | Mountside Homestead | Mount Hesse | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1876 | Tuppal Station Buildings | Deniliquin | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1876 | Two storey hotel | South Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1876 | Wesleyan Church | Newtown | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Barwon Woollen Mill | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | Further minor work | | 1877 | Bruce Residence | South Yarra | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Ducker's Auction Rooms | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Glendinning Residence | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Hall's Hotel | Balranald | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Narrepumelap Homestead | Wickliffe | | Victoria | Australia | Outbuildings, gates and gate lodge | | 1877 | Ondit Presbyterian Church | Ondit | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Residence, La Trobe Terrace | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Roebuck Residence | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1877 | Wickliffe Presbyterian Church | Wickliffe | | Victoria | Australia | Tower and other works | | 1878 | Bush Inn | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1878 | Clarke's Stores | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1878 | Colac Shire Hall | Colac | | Victoria | Australia | Unexecuted designs | | 1878 | Eastern Cemetery, Dr Geddie's Monument | East Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1878 | Hotel, Collins Street | | | Melbourne | Australia | | | 1878 | New buildings, Moorbool Street | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1878 | Residence | Ascot Vale | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1878 | Shire Hall | Meredith | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1879 | Convent of Mercy | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | New wing | | 1879 | Grand Pacific Hatel | Lorne | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1879 | New buildings, Lorne | Lorne | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1879 | Robinson and Cullen's Saleyards | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | Avalon Homestead, North Shore | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | Cottage | Appollo Bay | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | Cottage | South Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | Double villa, Western Beach | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | New residence, Western Beach | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | Pirra Homestead | Lara | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1880 | St Paul's Sunday School | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1881 | Golden Age Hotel | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | Additions and alterations | | 1881 | Mack's Hotel | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | Alterations and additions | | 1881 | RC Church, Batesford | Batesford | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1882 | Cottage, Meredith | Meredith | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1882 | Hotel, Meredith | Meredith | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1883 | Werribee Presbyterian Church and Manse | Werribee | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1885 | Brunswick Street Engine House | Fitzroy | | Melbourne | Australia | | | 1885 | Werribee Club | Werribee | | Victoria | Australia | Additions | | 1886 | Johnston Street Engine House | Collingwwod | | Melbourne | Australia | | | 1886 | Nicholson Street Engine House | Fitzroy | | Melbourne | Australia | | | 1887 | Gordon Technical School | Geelong | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1887 | North Melbourne Engine House | | | Melbourne | Australia | Attribution | | 1888 | Fitts House, Saltwater River | Kensington | | Sydney | Australia | | | 1888 | Surbiton Villa | Windsor | | Victoria | Australia | Attribution | | 1889 | Mechanics Institute | Sale | | Victoria | Australia | | | 1889 | Urangeline | Hawthorn | | Melbourne | Australia | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Willingham, Allan | 1983 | Two Scots in Victoria: the architecture of Davidson and Henderson | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Argus | 25 November 1865 | | Melbourne | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Courtesy of Mark Turnbull, Clive Lucas Stapleton & Partners, Sydney | Information sent to Dictionary | | |
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