Basic Biographical Details Name: | Andrew Kerr (senior) | Designation: | | Born: | 1814 | Died: | 20 December 1886 | Bio Notes: | Andrew Kerr was born in 1814 and served his apprenticeship as a carpenter. By dint of personal study he became a very competent draughtsman and secured employment in H M Office of Works, Edinburgh under William Nixon and Robert Matheson. He worked on the Edinburgh Post Office and was credited with the design of the Holyrood fountain, but he chiefly specialised in Ancient Monuments Work. He was elected a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland as early as 1848, and among his closest friends were David Laing, Professor Daniel Wilson and Dr John Hill Burton.
Through his work Kerr came to the attention of the Earls of Rosslyn and Moray and was allowed to undertake similar work for them in a private capacity, the catalyst being perhaps his papers on Roslin Chapel and Roslin Castle contributed to the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries in 1877. The major works at Doune Castle for the Earl of Moray were carried out after his retirement from the Office of Works in 1883-86. As an author his major work was the editing of Drummond's 'Sketches of Old Edinburgh', for which he provided historical notes. He held office as a High Constable for many years and was a prominent Freemason, attaining the 33rd degree.
In later years, from c.1861, Kerr lived at 3 Findhorn Place which he may have designed himself. He died on 20 December 1886, leaving a widow, Grace Watt, and a grown-up family. A memorial window to him was installed in the clerestory of Roslin Chapel.
| Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 3, Findhorn Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1861 | 1886 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployers
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 | | 1854 | Congregational Church | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | In collaboration with Jesse Hall | | 1858 | Palace of Holyroodhouse, fountain in forecourt | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Working under Robert Matheson in H M Office of Works, Edinburgh | | 1859 | General Post Office | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Working under Robert Matheson in H M Office of Works, Edinburgh | | 1864 | Dunans House | | | Argyll | Scotland | Reconstruction | | 1870 | Lodge Journeyman Masons | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1880 | Roslin Chapel | Roslin/Rosslyn | | Midlothian | Scotland | New vestry and organ chamber | | 1883 | Castle Grant | Grantown-on-Spey | | Morayshire | Scotland | Proposed alterations | | 1883 | Doune Castle | Doune | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | Before 1886 | Darnaway Castle | | | Morayshire | Scotland | Repairs to Earl Randolph's Hall |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Edinburgh Architectural Association | 1907 | Edinburgh Architectural Association Exhibition Catalogue | | Edinburgh | Memoir | | Johnston, Sir Ronald | 1986 | The Earl and the architect | | | | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories SC70/1/255 and Wills SC70/4/223 |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Scotsman | 27 December 1886 | | | p6 - obituary |
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