Basic Biographical Details

Name: William Alexander Davidson
Designation:  
Born: c. 1888
Died: 17 May 1951
Bio Notes: William Alexander (mistakenly Arthur in RIBA obituary) Davidson was articled to Brown & Watt in Aberdeen from 1905 and studied at Aberdeen School of Architecture, Robert Gordon's College. He remained with the same firm as assistant after completing his apprenticeship, moving to the office of William John Devlin in February 1912. After only five months in that office he left to take up a position with the North of Scotland Railway Company, moving again in June 1914 to join Jenkins & Marr as chief assistant.

He left Jenkins & Marr for unknown reasons in March 1916 but returned after the First World War in February 1919 and continued his studies at Robert Gordon's College, receiving his diploma on 30 June 1920. He was admitted ARIBA early the following year, his proposers being Alexander Marshall Mackenzie, John Alexander Ogg Allan and George Watt. He was also an Associate of the Aberdeen Society of Architects.

In 1930 his address was 19 Brimmond Place, Balnagask, Torry, Aberdeenshire. He was taken into partnership by Harbourne Maclennan, sole remaining partner of Jenkins & Marr, in 1935. In his obituary several works are ascribed to him as 'principal works' which he must have been involved with as an assistant rather than as partner, amongst which are housing schemes in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire (precise locations not specified).

Davidson died on 17 May 1951, aged sixty-three.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 331, Hartington Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1921 *  
Item 2 of 319, Brimmond Place, Balnagask, Torry, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1930 or 1931 *  
Item 3 of 3Morefield, Richmondhill Gardens, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)c. 1939 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


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 7Brown & Watt1905May 1909Apprentice 
Item 2 of 7Brown & WattMay 1909February 1912Assistant 
Item 3 of 7William John DevlinFebruary 1912July 1912Assistant 
Item 4 of 7Great North of Scotland Railway Company Architect's DepartmentJuly 1912June 1914Assistant 
Item 5 of 7Jenkins & MarrJune 1914March 1916Chief Assistant 
Item 6 of 7Jenkins & MarrFebruary 19191935(?)Chief Assistant 
Item 7 of 7Jenkins & Marr1935 Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3John Alexander Ogg AllanEarly 1921For Associateship
Item 2 of 3Alexander Marshall MackenzieEarly 1921For Associateship
Item 3 of 3George WattEarly 1921For Associateship

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 131929Commercial Bank, Aberdeen  AberdeenScotlandRIBA obituary records this as one of Davidson's principal works
Item 2 of 131935Abbey National Building Society offices  AberdeenScotland 
Item 3 of 131935Licensed premises in new housing area  AberdeenScotland 
Item 4 of 13After 1935Stoneywood Paper MillBucksburn AberdeenScotlandRebuilding of mill? Large additions?
Item 5 of 131937St Katharine's Club  AberdeenScotlandRIBA obituary records this as one of Davidson's principal works
Item 6 of 131945Housing schemes for Aberdeen County Council  AberdeenScotland 
Item 7 of 13After 1945Aberdeen Savings Bank, branch offices  AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 8 of 13After 1945Factory  AberdeenScotland 
Item 9 of 13After 1945Housing Scheme for the Burgh of BallaterBallater AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 10 of 13After 1945Housing scheme for the Burgh of KintoreKintore AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 11 of 13After 1945Union Bank of Scotland, branch offices  AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 12 of 13After 1945University Club  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 13 of 13c. 1946Craig Castle  AberdeenshireScotlandRestoration after fire

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIBA1930The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp508
Item 2 of 3RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIBA JournalFebruary 1952 London: Royal Institute of British ArchitectsObituary p150

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 A no3205 (microfilm reel 25)