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 Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 231, Lutton Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1912c. 1914 
Item 2 of 237, Desswood Place, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1914 *  

* 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 5James Graham Fairley18941898Apprentice 
Item 2 of 5George Walton18981900Assistant 
Item 3 of 5Aberdeen School Board Architects' Department19001906AssistantWorking under the supervision of Robert Robb Gall (with J A O Allan as chief architect)
Item 4 of 5David McArthy1906After 1911AssistantWith the exception of a period of 8 months working for Carmichael & Sharman
Item 5 of 5Carmichael & SharmanAfter 1906Before 1911DraughtsmanFor eight months, working on country house in Berwickshire

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3James Bow Dunn20 March 1911for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3Robert Robb Gall20 March 1911for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3John Watson20 March 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 101898Elm BankYork YorkshireEnglandRemodelling of interior - as assistant to George Walton
Item 2 of 10After 1900Ruthrieston School  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant for Aberdeen School Board
Item 3 of 101901Central Higher Grade School  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant for Aberdeen School Board
Item 4 of 101903Frederick Street School  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant for Aberdeen School Board
Item 5 of 101904Sunnybank School  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant for Aberdeen School Board
Item 6 of 10c. 1905(?)Moffat Cottage HospitalMoffat DumfriesshireScotlandCompetition design
Item 7 of 101906Public LibraryBurntisland FifeScotlandAssisted William Williamson with successful competition designs
Item 8 of 10After 1906Country House  BerwickshireScotlandWorking for eight months as draughtsman and clerk of works to Carmichael & Sharman - house, gate lodge, garage, stabling, drainage and landscaping
Item 9 of 10After 1906SchoolBerwick-upon-Tweed NorthumberlandEnglandCompetition design
Item 10 of 10c. 1911Possilpark District LibraryPossilpark GlasgowScotlandUnsuccessful competition design

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   
Item 2 of 3Post Office Directories     
Item 3 of 3Who's Who in Architecture1914    

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 v15 no1053