Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Stewart McGregor
Designation:  
Born: 27 October 1886
Died: 23 September 1956
Bio Notes: Alexander Stewart McGregor was born in London on 27 October 1886 but had moved to Glasgow by 1903 when he commenced his apprenticeship on 1 July in the office of Frank Burnet, Boston & Carruthers, studying at the Glasgow School of Architecture and at the Royal Technical College. His movements in the years following the completion of his apprenticeship in October 1908 are unknown, but in 1912 he entered the employment of the Greenock Corporation Electricity Department as chief draughtsman, and while there he worked on the design of large extensions to the power station. He left in November 1927 to commence practice on his own account at 2 Hamilton Street, Greenock. He was member of the Institute of Structural Engineers, and lectured on building construction and engineering at the Greenock Technical School evening classes. In August 1929, in addition to his private practice, he took the temporary post of chief assistant to Renfrew County Council Education Committee Works Department. He was still operating in this position in 1930 when he applied to become a Licentiate of the RIBA, and was admitted early the following year despite being unable to enlist the support of any existing members as proposers since he was not sufficiently well acquainted with any. When the function of the Education Authority was transferred to the County Council, his appointment was terminated and he returned to relying on his work independent practice to earn his living. During this period he undertook mostly small private work, including a large number of public houses, but also designed large extensions for Messrs Hastie's engineering works and a new frontage and offices for West Renfrew Motors Ltd. In 1940 he gave up private practice and took an appointment with the Admiralty, first in Greenock, then in Rosyth Dockyard. In 1950 he returned to Frank Burnet & Boston, where he was employed up to the time of his death at on 23 September 1956.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 98, Ardgowan Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandPrivate1923 or 1924  
Item 2 of 942, Robertson Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandPrivate1926 or 1927 *1929 or 1930 
Item 3 of 92, Hamilton Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandBusinessNovember 19271930 or 1931Perhaps longer
Item 4 of 9135, Dunlop Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandPrivate1930 *1935 or 1936Perhaps longer
Item 5 of 948, Cathcart Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandBusiness1935 or 1936 *  
Item 6 of 946, Cathcart Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandBusiness19371940 
Item 7 of 946, Bentinck Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandBusinessc. 1937c. 1940This may be an error for Cathcart Street.
Item 8 of 915, Denholm Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandBusiness1940 *  
Item 9 of 92, Bentinck Street, Greenock, Renfrewshire, ScotlandBusiness1950 *  

* 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 4Burnet, Boston & Carruthers1 July 1903October 1908Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Admiralty Works Department (Greenock)1940Before 1950Architect(?) 
Item 3 of 4Admiralty Works Department (Rosyth)After 19401950Architect(?) 
Item 4 of 4Frank Burnet & Boston195023 September 1956Architect(?) 

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 9Before 1928Greenock Power StationGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 2 of 91930sWest Renfrew Motors LtdGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandNew frontage and offices
Item 3 of 9c. 1930Greenock AcademyGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandExtensions - as temporary chief assistant to Renfrew County Council Education Committee Works Department
Item 4 of 9c. 1930St John's New SchoolPort Glasgow RenfrewshireScotlandAs temporary chief assistant to Renfrew County Council Education Committee Works Department
Item 5 of 91933Greenbank Church of Scotland, suite of hallsGreenock Renfrewshire  
Item 6 of 91937Messrs Hastie's Engineering WorksGreenock RenfrewshireScotlandExtensions
Item 7 of 91938Premises, Inverkip Road and West Shaw StreetGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 8 of 91939Building, Inverkip Road and High StreetGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 9 of 91939Building, Port Glasgow RoadGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Greenock Post Office directories Greenock Post Office directories   
Item 2 of 2RIBA1950The 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 JournalMarch 1957 London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp201 - obituary

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 L no3835 (box 17)