Basic Biographical Details Name: | Alexander Ross Lindsay | Designation: | | Born: | 1878 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | Alexander Ross Lindsay was born in 1878 and articled to James Graham Fairley of Edinburgh in 1894, attending classes at Heriot-Watt College. In 1898 he moved to the office of George Walton in Glasgow in order to gain experience in interior design. Whilst there he obtained a bursary to study at Glasgow School of Art. In 1900 he moved to the Aberdeen School Board Architects' Department which enabled him to study at Robert Gordon's College, receiving instruction in ironwork design. The chief architect of the School Board at that time was John Alexander Ogg Allan, but Lindsay worked under the direct supervision of Robert Robb Gall. During his time there Lindsay also carried out work for William Williamson of Kirkcaldy, assisting him with his winning designs for the open competition for Burntisland Library and with several other school and domestic projects.
Lindsay left Aberdeen in 1906 and moved to Edinburgh as an assistant to David McArthy. At some point between then and 1911 he spent eight months as draughtsman and clerk of works for Carmichael & Sharman, working on a country house in Berwickshire. By the time he was admitted LRIBA on 20 March 1911 - his proposers being James Bow Dunn, John Watson (presumably of Edinburgh) and Robert Robb Gall - he had returned to McArthy's office, but had made the first moves towards practising on his own account by entering several competitions, and his nomination papers state that he had also designed bedroom furniture and decoration for houses in Ireland, Dundee and Kirkcaldy. By 1914 he was again in Aberdeen with a house (and presumably office) at 37 Desswood Place. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 31, Lutton Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1912 | c. 1914 | | | 37, Desswood Place, Aberdeen, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1914 * | | |
* 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 | | James Graham Fairley | 1894 | 1898 | Apprentice | | | George Walton | 1898 | 1900 | Assistant | | | Aberdeen School Board Architects' Department | 1900 | 1906 | Assistant | Working under the supervision of Robert Robb Gall (with J A O Allan as chief architect) | | David McArthy | 1906 | After 1911 | Assistant | With the exception of a period of 8 months working for Carmichael & Sharman | | Carmichael & Sharman | After 1906 | Before 1911 | Draughtsman | For eight months, working on country house in Berwickshire |
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | James Bow Dunn | 20 March 1911 | for Licentiateship | | Robert Robb Gall | 20 March 1911 | for Licentiateship | | John Watson | 20 March 1911 | for Licentiateship |
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 | | 1898 | Elm Bank | York | | Yorkshire | England | Remodelling of interior - as assistant to George Walton | | After 1900 | Ruthrieston School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As assistant for Aberdeen School Board | | 1901 | Central Higher Grade School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As assistant for Aberdeen School Board | | 1903 | Frederick Street School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As assistant for Aberdeen School Board | | 1904 | Sunnybank School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | As assistant for Aberdeen School Board | | c. 1905(?) | Moffat Cottage Hospital | Moffat | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | Competition design | | 1906 | Public Library | Burntisland | | Fife | Scotland | Assisted William Williamson with successful competition designs | | After 1906 | Country House | | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Working for eight months as draughtsman and clerk of works to Carmichael & Sharman - house, gate lodge, garage, stabling, drainage and landscaping | | After 1906 | School | Berwick-upon-Tweed | | Northumberland | England | Competition design | | c. 1911 | Possilpark District Library | Possilpark | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | Who's Who in Architecture | 1914 | | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v15 no1053 |
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