Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Robert Meldrum
Designation:  
Born: 1880
Died: November 1953(?)
Bio Notes: Alexander Robert Meldrum was born in 1880 and articled to Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon of Aberdeen from 1894 to 1899, remaining as assistant until 1900. During that period he attended classes at Robert Gordon's College and Grays School of Art. In 1900 he sought experience with the theatre architects W and TR Milburn of Sunderland, but returned to Aberdeen in the same year to work for the school board architect John Alexander Ogg Allan. In 1903 he again sought wider experience, this time from Fred Rowntree in London, but returned to Allan for the years 1904 to 1906. In February 1906 he became an assistant in the practice of Charles Frederick Stevens, who had offices in London and Bombay. Meldrum appears to have spent time in both offices and whilst in Bombay read two papers, the first before the Bombay Literary Society 'Warren Hastings' and the second entitled 'A visit to Goa-Portuguese India'. He remained with Stevens until September 1910 when he again returned to Allan. He was admitted LRIBA on 24 June 1912, his proposers being Mackinnon, the Catholic church architect William John Devlin and Robert Robb Gall, Allan's assistant in the Aberdeen School Board Office.

From 1939-42 Meldrum assisted the Dublin firm of W.H. Byrne & Son with the building of Cavan Catholic cathedral.

Meldrum was reputedly a 'colleague of Lutyens' but it is unclear what the source of this information is. He died in November 1953.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 192, Bonnymuir Place, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1912After 1914 

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 8Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon18941899Apprentice 
Item 2 of 8Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon18991900Assistant 
Item 3 of 8W & T R Milburn14 May 190012 October 1900Assistant 
Item 4 of 8John Alexander Ogg AllanLate 19001903AssistantReturned 1904-1906 and in 1910
Item 5 of 8Fred RowntreeJune 1903April 1904Assistant 
Item 6 of 8John Alexander Ogg AllanDecember 1904February 1906Assistant 
Item 7 of 8Charles Frederick StevensFebruary 1906September 1910Assistant 
Item 8 of 8John Alexander Ogg AllanSeptember 1910After 1912Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3William John Devlin24 June 1912for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3Robert Robb Gall24 June 1912for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon24 June 1912for 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 71896Central Fire Station  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant to A H L Mackinnon
Item 2 of 71897Union Club  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant to Mackinnon (probably)
Item 3 of 71900Mile End Public School  AberdeenScotlandAs assistant to A H L Mackinnon
Item 4 of 7After 1900School, Walker RoadTorry AberdeenScotlandAdditions - as assistant to Allan
Item 5 of 71901Woodside School  AberdeenScotlandNew schoolof part of old site - as assistant to Ogg Allan
Item 6 of 71904House for F B Slessor  AberdeenScotland 
Item 7 of 71939Cavan Cathedral  UlsterNorthern IrelandAssisted in the building of this cathedral.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   
Item 2 of 2Mulligan, Kevin V2013The Buildings of Ireland: South Ulster  p246

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Builder27 November 1953v185 p852 - 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 v25 no 2030