Basic Biographical Details Name: | John James Laing | Designation: | | Born: | c. 1820(?) | Died: | 1862 or 1863 | Bio Notes: | John James Laing was educated at George Heriot's Hospital and was one of John Dick Peddie's earliest apprentices. In 1847 he made measured drawings of Elgin Cathedral and from 1850 onwards won several of the Architectural Institute of Scotland prizes. G S Aitken recorded that he did much of the detail design work on the original schemes for the Cockburn Street buildings, and he made the watercolour presentation drawing of the scheme as seen from Waverley Bridge. He met John Ruskin in November 1853 and subsequently wrote to him for advice on his career. Ruskin engaged him as an illustrator, probably in 1855, with freedom to undertake other work, notably for E E Viollet-le-Duc. In that same year, 1855, from his address at Meadowbank, Edinburgh he exhibited at the RSA two designs for chapels (540 and 649), a view of Melrose (638) and a restoration drawing of the east end of Elgin Cathedral (653). On Ruskin's recommendation Laing secured a post as assistant to Deane & Woodward in Dublin, but was soon unhappy at not being given design detail work as he had hoped and returned to Ruskin's employ. He caught a severe cold working for him in Switzerland, fell into a decline and died.
Laing can probably be identified with the John James Laing who was described as an artist in chis will and who died in 1863 (or possibly late 1862). At that time he was living at 272 Buchanan Street, Glasgow. His mother was Margaret Begg Laing. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 272, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | | 1863 | | | Meadowbank, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1855 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | Alexander Black | | | Pupil | | | John Dick Peddie | c. 1846 | c. 1851 | Apprentice | | | Deane & Woodward | After 1855 | 15 May 1861 | Assistant | |
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 | | 1851 | Cockburn Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Detail drawings for first proposals - as apprentice to John Dick Peddie | | 1855 | Design of chapel adapted for cemetery | | | | | | | 1855 | Elgin Cathedral | Elgin | | Morayshire | Scotland | Restoration drawing |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Cook, E and Wedderburn, A | | Library edition of the works of John Ruskin, letters | | | volume 36, pp186-188 | | O'Dwyer, Frederick | 1997 | The Architecture of Deane and Woodward | | Cork UP 1997 | p289 | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Glasgow Sheriff Court Inventories SC36/48/49 and Wills SC36/51/44 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIAS Collection, NMRS, RCAHMS | History and Reminiscences of the Edinburgh Architectural Association | | |
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