Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Watson-Jerdan
Designation:  
Born: 1881
Died: 28 March 1932
Bio Notes: James Watson-Jerdan was born in 1881 in Edinburgh, the third son of nine children of the architect James Jerdan and Helen Watson, and was educated at George Heriot's School. He was articled to his father c.1897 and attended classes at Heriot-Watt College where his father and brother John taught, and where he also subsequently worked for three years as an assistant lecturer in building construction. He remained in his father's firm until 1904 when he moved to London to widen his experience, becoming briefly an assistant to James Glen Sivewright Gibson. He then found a place with Hubbard & Moore, with whom he remained until he obtained a place in H M Office of Works in 1907; according to the Jerdan family he worked for Fife County Council in Kirkcaldy for a time, but there is no record of that in his nomination paper. He was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, his proposers being George Hubbard and Albert Walter of Hubbard & Moore, and George John Thrift Reavell. At that time he was still working in H M Office of Works, under Reavell's supervision, but since 1907 he had also been practising on his own account, in partnership with William Hodgson-Burnet.

He lived in Croydon but died in Scotland on 28 March 1932 of acute alcoholism. His wife Apolonia Biornbraner (spelling?) survived him.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 5Ivy College, Barnes, London, EnglandBusiness   
Item 2 of 5Kirkcaldy, Fife, ScotlandBusiness   
Item 3 of 5Croydon, Surrey, EnglandPrivate(?) 1932 
Item 4 of 58, Haarlem Mansions, Brook Green, London, EnglandPrivate1911 *  
Item 5 of 55, Edward's Square, Kensington, London, EnglandBusiness1911 *  

* 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 7James Jerdan & Sonc. 1897c. 1902Apprentice 
Item 2 of 7James Jerdan & Sonc. 19021904Assistant 
Item 3 of 7James Glen Sivewright Gibson19041904Draughtsman 
Item 4 of 7Hubbard & Moore19041907Draughtsman 
Item 5 of 7William Hodgson Burnet & James Watson-Jerdan1907After 1911Partner 
Item 6 of 7H M Office of Works (later Ministry of Works, Department of the Environment and Property Services Agency)1907After 1911AssistantIn London office, whilst also practising in partnership with W Hodgson-Burnet
Item 7 of 7Fife County CouncilAfter 1907(?)  According to the Jerdan family he worked for Fife County Council in Kirkcaldy for a time, but there is no record of that in his nomination paper

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3George Hubbard20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3George John Thrift Reavell20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3Albert Walter20 July 1911for Licentiateship

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 3After 1907Flats, Dundee Terrace  EdinburghScotland 
Item 2 of 3After 1907House, Royal Circus  EdinburghScotlandAdditions and alterations
Item 3 of 3After 1907VillaColington (Colinton?) EdinburghScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Adam, Shona1991James Jerdan & Son, Architects, Memoir by Shona Adam, Granddaughter of John Jerdan Exhibition Catalogue, RIAS Gallery, January-February 1991 
Item 2 of 2British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L v21 no1663
Item 3 of 3Shona Adam, Granddaughter of John JerdanJames Jerdan & Son Office Ledger