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Name: | William Kelly |
Designation: | Architect |
Born: | 22 December 1861 |
Died: | 10 March 1944 |
Bio Notes: | William Kelly was born in Aberdeen on 22 December 1861, the son of Francis Bonnyman Kelly, a tailor and outfitter, and his wife Jane Tough, daughter of James Tough, tenant farmer at Mains of Drum. He never sought membership of the RIBA and as a result our knowledge of his early career is somewhat sketchy. He was educated at William Rattray's School in North Silver Street and attended King's College 1876-78, principally to study mathematics and natural philosophy. In May 1878 he was articled to William and John Smith and on the completion of his articles in May 1883 he sought wider experience in London, William Smith's open reference describing him as having 'gentlemanly manners' and being 'steady diligent and obliging'; he was also an 'exceptionally good draughtsman'. Of the several offices Kelly worked in while in London, only John James Stevenson's has been identified. In 1885 he made a study tour of the French chateaux and visited Spain and Holland.
Kelly returned to commence independent practice in Belmont Street in 1886 and, following John Smith's death on 11 April 1887, declining health induced William Smith to invite William Kelly to become his partner. The partnership was dissolved late in 1890 or early 1891, probably because of Smith's failing health, as the firm name was retained. In 1893 Kelly married Mary, eldest daughter of George Carmichael, bank agent in Aberdeen, thus becoming the brother-in-law of the architects Charles and Duncan Carmichael.
In 1896 Kelly had an important competition win when John James Burnet selected him as architect of Aberdeen Savings Bank, the business of which he retained thereafter; and in 1902 he took into partnership his chief assistant James Brown Nicol, born c.1867. Nicoll was articled to Alexander Marshall Mackenzie in 1883-88, where he worked under the supervision of the ablest of Mackenzie's assistants, Alexander Mackintosh. In 1889 after a further year in Mackenzie's office he moved to Edinburgh to gain wider experience first with James Bow Dunn in 1889-90 and then with Sydney Mitchell & Wilson as chief assistant from 1890 until 1891 when he returned to Aberdeen as Kelly's assistant. Nicoll published 'Domestic Architecture in Scotland', a survey of contemporary work, in 1908.
Kelly was elected ARSA in 1911 and had the degree of LLD conferred upon him by the University of Aberdeen in 1919, mainly in recognition of his work at King's College Chapel. He held the post of newly created Aberdeen Corporation Director of Housing from 1918-23, the first to do so.
He retired from the practice in 1928, but remained consultant architect to Viscount and Lady Cowdray, doing much work on the Dunecht estate and consolidating and partly restoring Dunottar Castle in association with his lifelong friend the historian and antiquary Dr W Douglas Simpson. Simpson described him as 'endowed with commanding height, a fine leonic head and a rich resonant voice… His tall figure and rapid walk made him noticeable among Aberdonians of his time. Men with shorter legs found it trying to come down Albyn Place with him in the morning'. He was active in 'choral singing' and 'a good player of both piano and organ, always reading from the old-fashioned tonic sol-fa system and scarcely ever from the conventional staff notation' but his main interests were antiquarian.
On 28 June 1941, at the age of seventy-nine, Kelly had a bad fall at home and broke his thigh. Thereafter he was confined to bed: Simpson recalled that 'those who visited [him] will never forget his bed-ridden figure with full and silken white beard…his eyes sparkling with fun or wistful reminiscence'. He continued his sketches in bed from books and photographs, assisting Simpson with his book on Glenbuchat and the Rhind lectures on the Province of Mar, published in 1942. He died on 10 March 1944 and was buried in Springbank Cemetery. He left the then very substantial moveable estate of £22,458 8s 4d, and was survived by his wife, three sons none of whom pursued architecture as a career, and a daughter. Some of his relatively few papers were published by Simpson as a tribute to him from the University of Aberdeen after his death. His name is atill familiar to Aberdonians through the 'Kelly's cats' on the parapets of Union Bridge. There has been a debate as to whether Kelly actually designed the leopards, or whether it was Sidney Boyes, the sculptor who designed the bronze panels on either side of the bridge but Kelly used a similar leopard on the savings bank in Union Terrace and sketches of the actual finials are in the Kelly Archive in Aberdeen University. Kelly's great-niece, writing in 'The Leopard' relates how during rag week, the students decided to tie ribbons around the leopards' necks. Drwrath knew no bounds and the ribbons were ordered to be removed, but in doing so, the nickname 'Kelly's cats' were born. |
This architect 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 |
 | | Glenbuchat Lodge | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration and enlargement at rear - date unknown |
 | 1886 | Maryculter Old Church | Maryculter | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Restoration |
 | 1887 | Aberdeen Royal Infirmary | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New ward block - carried out work |
 | 1887 | House for William Falconer | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1887 | Villa with tower at Corse | Corse | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1890 | Aberdeen Lunatic Asylum | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | New hospital section |
 | 1890 | Boys' and Girls' Hospital | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Extensions |
 | c. 1890 | Kepplestone Cottage | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extension |
 | 1892 | Causewayend School | Old Aberdeen | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Enlargement |
 | 1892 | High School for Girls | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions to south |
 | 1892 | Mayen | Rothiemay | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Produced schedule of quantities and specifications - unclear if he or Mackenzie did the work |
 | 1892 | North Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1892 | Triple Kirk churches | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Central doorway in former South Free Church. |
 | 1893 | Aberdeen Royal Infirmary | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Addition of single storey kitchen block between wings on north side |
 | 1893 | Auchterless Parish Church | Auchterless | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Plans for tower |
 | 1895 | 62 Rubislaw Den North | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1895 | House for J Ogilvy | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1895 | House for John Ellis | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1895 | House for Martin Lewis | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1896 | 30 Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1896 | Aberdeen National Savings Bank | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Won competition and secured job |
 | 1896 | Montrose Asylum, Carnegie House | Hillside, Montrose | | Angus | Scotland | Designed asylum block; carried out by John Sim |
 | 1897 | 57-65 Union Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Gabled dormers and balustraded parapet added |
 | 1897 | Aberdeen Lunatic Asylum | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions |
 | 1897 | Aberdeen Lunatic Asylum | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Lodge on Cornhill Road |
 | 1897 | Old Meldrum Parish Church | Old Meldrum / Oldmeldrum | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Installation of organ |
 | 1897 | Premises of William Falconer, draper | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1897 | St Ninian's Church | Mile End | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Won competition and secured job |
 | 1897 | Two houses, John Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1897 | Two houses, John Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1897 | Villa, 12 Carden Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations with new Italian Renaissance front |
 | 1897 | Warehouse for Thomas Ogilvie & Son | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | Before 1897 | Aberdeen Royal Infirmary Convalescent Home | Cults | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1898 | Duthie Park, Gordon Highlanders obelisk memorial | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1898 | Free East Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1898 | St Nicholas Church, St Mary's Crypt under East Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Restoration including furnishings and new font |
 | 1899 | 36 and 38 Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1899 | Aberdeen Lunatic Asylum | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions- major remodelling |
 | 1899 | Gilcomston Free Church | Gilcomston | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Screen and pulpit probably designed by Kelly |
 | 1899 | Lochhead Villa | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1899 | New Market and the layout of Market Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1900 | 367 Union Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations and new buildings |
 | 1900 | House, Carden Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Reconstruction |
 | 1900 | Triple Kirk churches | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Ground floor windows in former East Church. |
 | After 1900 | Music Hall | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Large additions |
 | 1901 | Dickson Memorial Hall | Laurencekirk | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |
 | 1901 | House, Rubislaw Den North | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1901 | Premises for Messrs J & A Ogilvie | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Reconstruction - shopfront and interiors |
 | 1901 | Premises or house for C J Davidson | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1901 | St George's-in-the-West | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Hall and vestry |
 | 1902 | Demonstration School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1902 | House for Thomas Ogilvie | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1902 | Lower Banffshire Joint Infectious Diseases Hospital | Portsoy | | Banffshire | Scotland | |
 | 1902 | Morningfield Hospital for Incurables | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations and additions |
 | 1902 | Society of Friends Meeting House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | After 1902 | Aberdeen Royal Infirmary | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extension |
 | After 1902 | Business premises | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | After 1902 | Jubilee Hospital | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Extension |
 | After 1902 | Moy House | Forres | | Morayshire | Scotland | Alterations and reconstruction |
 | After 1902 | Woodend House | Banchory Ternan | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Alterations and reconstruction |
 | 1903 | Abernethy's Lodge | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1903 | Banff District Asylum, Troup/Ladysbridge | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Separate villa for male patients (Mayfield Villa) |
 | 1903 | Mackie Academy | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Addition of wings |
 | 1903 | Property for W Smith | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | c. 1903 | Invery House | Strachan | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration and alterations - including later addition of south range beyond the pavilion |
 | 1905 | Langley, 25 Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions |
 | 1905 | Tertowie House | Kinellar | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Wing added |
 | 1905 | The Gables | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |
 | c. 1905 | 69 Don Street | Old Aberdeen | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Restoration |
 | 1906 | Aberdeen Savings Bank | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1906 | Fife Arms Hotel | Braemar | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | West wing rebuilt |
 | 1907 | Carron Cottage | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Interior work including mantelpiece |
 | 1907 | Memorial to James Ferguson | Rothiemay | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1907 | Robert Gordon's College | Schoolhill | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Report on plan and proposals for new building/reconstruction |
 | 1907 | St Mary's Parish Church | Ellon | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Alterations, including panelled and stencilled timber ceiling and the dado. |
 | 1907 | Tilquhillie Cottage | | | | Scotland | |
 | After 1907 | Union Street and King Street and Union Bridge | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Railings (or parapets) |
 | 1909 | Seabank Rescue Home | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions |
 | 1909 | Tudor Lodge | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Conflict of information. Stonehaven Journal gives Coutts as architect. Kelly information from owner in 1960s. |
 | 1910 | Culter House | Peterculter | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration of interiors |
 | 1910 | Gordon Schools | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Addition of Higher Grade School |
 | 1911 | Kildrummy UF Church | Kildrummy | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1911 | Strathbogie Free Church | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration - with T G Archibald |
 | 1912 | Huntly Public School | Huntly | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Secondary department added |
 | 1912 | Mar Lodge | Braemar | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Burial vault under altar |
 | 1912 | New Market and the layout of Market Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Permanent shops on market floor |
 | 1913 | St Mary's Episcopal Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Clergy stalls |
 | 1913 | Villa, 86 Queen's Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1914 | Harlaw Memorial | Harlaw | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1914 | Kintore Parish Church and manse | Kintore | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Chancel added and interior reordered |
 | c. 1914 | Chapel of Garioch Parish Church | Chapel of Garioch | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Gallery level windows - probably by Kelly & Nicol |
 | c. 1918 | Birse and Feughside Parish Church | Finzean | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | First World War memorial tablet. Cut by SirJames Taggart. |
 | c. 1918 | Murtle House | Peterculter | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1919 | Marnoch Parish Manse | Marnoch | | Banffshire | Scotland | Entrance front extended by one bay, alterations to front and and windows on ground floor |
 | 1919 | New Market and the layout of Market Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations to Market Building |
 | 1920s | Dunecht Estate, Cottages including The Terrace and Greentree Lodge | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Further enhancements |
 | 1920 | Memorial to the Seventh Gordons | Banchory | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |
 | c. 1920 | Aberdeen Grammar School, War Memorial | Denburn | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | c. 1920 | Banff War Memorial | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | |
 | c. 1920 | Dyce War Memorial | Dyce | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | c. 1920 | Torry Housing Scheme | Torry | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Acted as consultant with Maclennan |
 | c. 1920 | War Memorial | Birse | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1921 | Ardoe House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Porch (attribution) |
 | After 1921 | Kinnaird Castle, with stables and lodge | Brechin | | Angus | Scotland | Restoration after fire |
 | 1922 | Balmoral Castle, war memorial | Balmoral | | Aberdeenshire | | |
 | 1922 | King's College Chapel, University War Memorial | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1922 | Longside Parish Church and war memorial | Longside | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | War memorial |
 | 1922 | St Clement's Episcopal Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | 'only a small part of the design built' |
 | 1922 | St James Episcopal Church | Cruden Bay | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Altar |
 | 1922 | St Nicholas Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | War memorial - set into front of west gallery |
 | 1923 | North of Scotland Bank | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations |
 | 1923 | Raemoir House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration |
 | 1923 | St James Episcopal Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Altar and war memorial reredos |
 | 1923 | War Memorial | Banchory | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |
 | c. 1923 | Rowett Institute, Reid Library and cattle sheds | Bucksburn | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Carved panel over door. |
 | 1923 or 1926 | Keith Cottage Hospital | Keith | | Banffshire | Scotland | Further additions (Buildings of Scotland gives 1923- Richardson 1926) |
 | 1924 | Dunecht House (including chapel) | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Some internal remodelling and redecoration of chapel; western gates (some undertaken by Kelly in private capacity after his retirement), Main gates in Dunecht Village |
 | 1924 | Glass Parish Church | Glass | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Memorial to Sir William Bridge |
 | 1924 | Kirkville House | Skene | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Remodelling including large inglenook fireplace |
 | 1925 | Bridgend | Dunecht Village | | Aberdenshire | Scotland | Late 18th century cottages remodelled with thatched roofs. |
 | 1925 | Dunecht Estate, Bridgend | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Reconstruction with thatched roofs |
 | 1925 | Dunecht, Estate Offices and Hall | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1925 | Dunnottar Castle | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Consolidation and partial re-roofing |
 | 1925 | Dunnottar Castle Lodge | | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | |
 | 1927 | College of Nursing Club and house at no 1 Fonthill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions to Club |
 | 1927 | East Lochside Steading | Skene | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | 1927 | Raemoir House | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Gabled east wing and interior woodwork |
 | After 1927 | Echt Churchyard, Monument to Viscount Cowdray | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | |
 | Before 1927 | Hospital for Sick Children | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | c. 1927 | Turin House | Rescobie | | Angus | Scotland | Rebuilding on higher site |
 | 1928 | Church, Regent Quay | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | After 1928 | Castle Fraser | | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Restoration work - left unfinished |
 | After 1928 | Fitzalan Chapel, memorial to Cardinal Howard | Arundel | | Sussex | England | |
 | 1929 | King's College, war memorial | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1930s | Savings Bank | Holburn | | Aberdeen | Scotland | May have had some hand in this but partly retired |
 | 1930 | Birse Castle | Birse | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Extension and restoration |
 | 1930 | Echt Parish Church | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Communion table and remodelling |
 | c. 1930 | Aberdeen Lunatic Asylum | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Extensions |
 | 1931 | East Lochside Farmhouse | Skene | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | With David Morris |
 | 1931 | King's College, founder's tomb | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Composite piece including brass plate by Kelly |
 | February 1931 | King's College Chapel | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Restoration of east window - as consultant after his retirement, new butresses, stalls, desks, restoration of NE window at apse. Medieval pulpit partly reconstructed |
 | 1932 | The Neuk | Echt | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Formed into two houses (by the Cowdray Estate Office from plans by Kelly) |
 | c. 1933 | St Germain-en-Laye, Monument to Viscountess Cowdray | | | Ile de France | France | |
 | c. 1935 | Allenvale Cemetery | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Monuments to William Kelly's parents, Francis Bonnyman Kelly and Jane Tough |
 | 1936 | University of Aberdeen Students' Union | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
 | 1937 | 3 Chanonry | Old Aberdeen | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Sketch designs |
 | 1938 | 23 Don Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Restoration |
 | 1938 | Rowett Institute, Reid Library and cattle sheds | Bucksburn | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Stained glass on landing window - with Douglas Strachan |
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