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Basic Biographical Details

Name: Arthur Clyne
Designation: Architect
Born: 1853
Died: 6 January 1924
Bio Notes: Arthur Clyne was born in Aberdeen in 1853 and was the son of Norval Clyne, an advocate (i.e. solicitor) there. He was articled to James Matthews c.1868 and at the end of his apprenticeship moved to become an assistant in the office of Andrew Heiton of Perth. He commenced independent practice c.1876, sharing an office at 177 Union Street Aberdeen with John Bridgeford Pirie, a former colleague from Matthews's practice, and in 1881 they merged their practices as Pirie & Clyne (although some letters addressed to them as 'Pirie & Clyne' predate this) and moved to 123 1/2 Union Street which was to remain their address. In 1882 they had some kind of link with Frederick Pilkington, with whose work their own had some affinities, as W T Johnston has established that Pirie shared Pilkington's address at 2 Hill Street Edinburgh in that year.

Pirie's connections with John Morgan the builder provided the practice with a steady flow of commissions for villas and terraced housing, but the practice was otherwise dependent on success in competitions and Clyne's strong Episcopal church connections. It did not reach the final tier in the Glasgow Municipal Buildings competition, was unpremiated in the Aberdeen Art Gallery and Gray's School of Art competition and came only third in that for Aberdeen Public Library but it did initially have significant successes in local competitions for churches, all of which were designed in a very original muscular early Gothic style. While Morgan's own house was gothic of the same school their few commercial buildings and their villas tended to be in a highly original variation of Alexander Thomson's style.

Pirie died of tuberculosis on 24 February 1892 at his house at 24 Hamilton Place, leaving no moveable estate and a widow and five children. Morgan was involved in raising money for them; there may have been some difficulty with Clyne as Pirie's son, Bridgeford MacDougall Pirie (born 1877), did not join Clyne's practice, and the Pirie family withdrew Pirie's drawings from the practice.

After Pirie's death Clyne's work became less unconventional, his church work being strongly influenced by the Aberdeen Ecclesiological Society of which he and Morgan were founder members. His Episcopal Church of St Devenick at Bieldside (1902) was pure late Scots Gothic, close in style to Alexander Marshall Mackenzie's work of the same vintage. There seems to have been no difference of any kind with Morgan after Pirie's death as he was to remain an important client. Clyne removed the practice to 33 St Swithin Street and was President of the Aberdeen Society of Architects in 1900, being admitted FRIBA in April 1901 by virtue of that office. He stood down as President in 1904 but was re-elected for the years 1909-13. He retired in 1914 when the practice, then back in Union Street at no 375, was closed. He died at Charlwood House, Charlwood, Surrey on 6 January 1924.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 72, Glover Street, Perth, Perthshire, ScotlandBusiness1874 * While still an apprentice with Heiton
Item 2 of 7177, Union Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusinessc. 18761881 
Item 3 of 7123 1/2, Union Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusinessLate 1881After 1909 
Item 4 of 733, St Swithin Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1900 *  
Item 5 of 7Cholmley Lodge, Surrey, EnglandPrivate1914 *  
Item 6 of 7375, Union Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusiness1914 *  
Item 7 of 7Charlwood House, Charlwood, Surrey, EnglandPrivate1924 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3Matthews & Lawriec. 1868c. 1873ApprenticeIn Aberdeen office, under James Matthews
Item 2 of 3Andrew Heiton (junior)c. 1873c. 1876Assistant 
Item 3 of 3Pirie & Clyne18811892Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 2Harvey Mennie18951902Chief Assistant 
Item 2 of 2David ColvilleApril 1904November 1906Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposals

This architect proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 12John Alexander Ogg Allan24 June 1912for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 12John Alexander Ogg Allan1915for Fellowship
Item 3 of 12David Colville12 June 1911for Associateship
Item 4 of 12John Kirkwood Currie3 March 1919for Associateship
Item 5 of 12William Liddle Duncan20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 6 of 12William Edgar Gauld9 June 1913for Fellowship
Item 7 of 12Thomas Harold Hughes27 March 1911for Associateship
Item 8 of 12James Lowson4 December 1911for Licentiateship
Item 9 of 12John Ross McMillan4 March 1907for Fellowship
Item 10 of 12Harvey Mennie4 July 1910for Licentiateship
Item 11 of 12James Augustus SouttarLate 1910for Licentiateship
Item 12 of 12George Watt4 March 1907for Fellowship

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 123 Design for small terraced houses  AberdeenScotlandDrawing not dated
Item 2 of 123 Hotel for Mr Walter Deans  AberdeenScotlandIs this by Clyne - possibly someone else finishing off Pirie's commissions? Alterations?
Item 3 of 1231874Altarpiece    'Suggestion' fopr altarpiece
Item 4 of 123After 1876Craigmillar Steam LaundryCraigmillar EdinburghScotlandDate unknown
Item 5 of 123After 1876Parish HomePeterhead AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 6 of 1231878Skene ManseSkene AberdeenshireScotlandAdditions
Item 7 of 123187924 Rubislaw Den South  AberdeenScotland 
Item 8 of 1231879Design for a small house  AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 9 of 1231879Queen's Cross Free Church  AberdeenScotlandWon competition and secured job
Item 10 of 1231879St Margaret's Episcopal ChapelBraemar AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 11 of 1231880sTown and County BankEcht AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 12 of 1231880Glasgow Municipal Buildings  GlasgowScotlandCompetition design, not successful
Item 13 of 1231880Victoria HallCastleton, Braemar AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 14 of 1231881Central SchoolFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotlandHeadmaster's House - perhaps by Pirie & Clyne
Item 15 of 1231881Millbrex Established ChurchFyvie AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 16 of 1231881Robertson Memorial ChurchPeterhead AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 17 of 1231881St John's School  AberdeenScotlandAdditions
Item 18 of 1231881Teacher's HouseFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 19 of 1231881ViewbankPitfodels AberdeenScotland 
Item 20 of 1231881York Street School  AberdeenScotland 
Item 21 of 123After 1881Advocates Hall, Concert Hall and Court  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 22 of 123After 1881(?)Arbroath Parish ChurchArbroath AngusScotlandUncertain what involvement was
Item 23 of 123After 1881Denmore  AberdeenshireScotlandAddition of rustic porch
Item 24 of 123After 1881Nether Benholm Farm Steading  KincardineshireScotlandAlterations
Item 25 of 123After 1881Rifle Volunteer Drill Hall  AberdeenScotland 
Item 26 of 123c. 1881(?)Stable House, Rubislaw Terrace  AberdeenScotland 
Item 27 of 123After 1882Peterhead AcademyPeterhead AberdeenshireScotland'Buildings of Scotland' gives date of 1890-91 but the dates are in conflict with information from Alexander Lorimer's Nomination Paper.
Item 28 of 12318834 Belmont Street  AberdeenScotlandAdditions
Item 29 of 1231883Anderson LibraryWoodside AberdeenScotland 
Item 30 of 1231883New Deer Free ChurchNew Deer AberdeenshireScotlandSketch design for new church - did not win competition
Item 31 of 1231883St Andrew's Episcopal Church  AberdeenScotlandReredos design
Item 32 of 1231883St Leonard's Free ChurchPerth PerthshireScotlandCompetition design - not successful (alternative estimates submitted July 1882)
Item 33 of 123c. 1883Aberdeen Art Gallery  AberdeenScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 34 of 123c. 1883Gray's School of Art  AberdeenScotlandCompetition design - not successful
Item 35 of 1231884Design for a 'decorated Gothic' screen (St Mary's ?)  AberdeenScotland 
Item 36 of 1231884Four Houses on Argyll Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 37 of 1231884Four Houses on Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 38 of 1231884House for John Morgan on Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 39 of 1231884Macduff Town HallMacduff BanffshireScotlandWon competition and secured job.
Item 40 of 1231884Three Houses on Argyll Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 41 of 1231884Two double cottages, Argyll Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 42 of 1231884Two Houses on Argyll Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 43 of 1231884Two Houses on Argyll Place for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 44 of 123Before 1884(?)House on west corner of Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 45 of 123188546 and 48 Queen's Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 46 of 123188550 Queen's Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 47 of 123188552 and 54 Queen's Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 48 of 123188562 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 49 of 123188564-66 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 50 of 123188586-88 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 51 of 1231885Fourteen Houses on Burnside Road for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 52 of 1231885House for C Robertson on Fountainhall Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 53 of 1231885St James' Episcopal ChurchStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandChancel and vestry
Item 54 of 1231885St Ninian's ChapelArbroath AngusScotlandPulpit and proposed extension to chapel
Item 55 of 1231885St Palladius's Episcopal Church and ParsonageDrumtochty AberdeenshireScotlandAlso designed font
Item 56 of 1231885Two Houses for John Morgan on Argyll Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 57 of 1231885Two Houses on Argyll Place for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 58 of 1231885Whitehall Bowling & Tennis Club Pavilion  AberdeenScotland 
Item 59 of 123188668-70 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 60 of 1231886BayviewSpital AberdeenScotland 
Item 61 of 1231886Five Houses on Queen's Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 62 of 1231886Four Houses on Esslemont Avenue for R W Carter  AberdeenScotland 
Item 63 of 1231886House for George M Thompson on Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 64 of 1231886St Martha's Home  AberdeenScotland 
Item 65 of 123c. 188678-80 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 66 of 123c. 188682-84 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 67 of 123c. 188690, 92, 94, 96 Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 68 of 123c. 1886(?)House for Mr Moir at North east corner of Hamilton Place   Scotland 
Item 69 of 123c. 1886House on North West corner of Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 70 of 123c. 1886House, Hamilton Road/Whitehall Road corner   Scotland 
Item 71 of 123188716 Rose Street  AberdeenScotland 
Item 72 of 1231887Argyll Crescent  AberdeenScotland 
Item 73 of 1231887Houses for Robert Murray and John Morgan on Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 74 of 1231887St James Episcopal Church  AberdeenScotland 
Item 75 of 1231888Queen's Cross Free Church  AberdeenScotlandOrgan chamber added
Item 76 of 1231889Central Public Library  AberdeenScotlandThird premiated competition design
Item 77 of 1231890Allenvale Cemetery, James Saint Monument  AberdeenScotland 
Item 78 of 1231890House for Captain Cumine on King Street Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 79 of 1231890House on Hamilton Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 80 of 1231891All Saints Episcopal ChurchStrichen AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction
Item 81 of 1231891House on Hamilton Place for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 82 of 123189229 Albyn Place  AberdeenScotlandMinor internal alterations
Item 83 of 1231892Strichen SchoolhouseStrichen AberdeenshireScotlandAlterations and additons
Item 84 of 1231892York Street School  AberdeenScotlandAdditions
Item 85 of 123Before 1892House at Rubislaw for James Clyne  AberdeenScotland 
Item 86 of 1231893Albion Street Public School  AberdeenScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 87 of 1231893Deaf and Dumb Institute  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 88 of 1231893Woodside HouseWoodside AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 89 of 123189479 Hamilton Place at Blenheim Place  AberdeenScotland 
Item 90 of 1231894County Hotel  AberdeenScotland 
Item 91 of 123189614 and 16 Forest Road at Rubislaw Den South  AberdeenScotland 
Item 92 of 12318969 and 11 Forest Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 93 of 1231897St George's Episcopal ChurchFolla Rule AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction, new tower, north arcade, chancel etc
Item 94 of 1231897St James Episcopal Church  AberdeenScotlandNew aisle
Item 95 of 1231897St John's Episcopal Church  AberdeenScotlandNorth aisle and vestry
Item 96 of 1231898Hanover Street Public School  AberdeenScotland 
Item 97 of 12318992 Rubislaw Den South  AberdeenScotland 
Item 98 of 1231899Eight Houses on Westburn Drive for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 99 of 123c. 1899Episcopal SchoolCruden Bay AberdeenshireScotlandAddition of double height classroom at rear.
Item 100 of 123190054 Rubislaw Den South  AberdeenScotland 
Item 101 of 123190056 Rubislaw Den South, Fortune Green  AberdeenScotland 
Item 102 of 1231900St Margaret's Schools  AberdeenScotlandAdditions
Item 103 of 123c. 19001 and 3 Rubislaw Den South at Spademill Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 104 of 123c. 190023 and 25 Rubislaw Den South  AberdeenScotland 
Item 105 of 123c. 1900(?)78 Queen's Road  AberdeenScotlandPossibly?
Item 106 of 1231901Milladen House, MintlawOld Deer AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 107 of 1231902St Devenick's Episcopal ChurchBieldside AberdeenScotland 
Item 108 of 123190324 Forest Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 109 of 1231903Cuminestown Episcopal ChurchCuminestown AberdeenshireScotlandEast end chancel
Item 110 of 1231903Ferryhill Library  AberdeenScotland 
Item 111 of 1231903North SchoolPeterhead AberdeenshireScotlandadditions at rear
Item 112 of 1231903Two Houses on Forest Road for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 113 of 1231904House on Westburn Road for John Morgan  AberdeenScotland 
Item 114 of 123c. 1904222 and 224 Westburn Road  AberdeenScotlandHS attribution
Item 115 of 1231905Clyne Mitchell & Co Engine Works  AberdeenScotland 
Item 116 of 1231905Ingleboro House  AberdeenScotlandAlterations
Item 117 of 1231905St James' Episcopal ChurchStonehaven KincardineshireScotlandNew porch, pulpit and baptistry
Item 118 of 1231905St Mary's Episcopal Church  AberdeenScotlandHall and vestry
Item 119 of 123c. 1905Central SchoolPeterhead AberdeenshireScotlandReconstruction in present form.
Item 120 of 123c. 1905Tramshed  AberdeenScotland 
Item 121 of 1231908St Mark's Episcopal Mission Church  AberdeenScotland 
Item 122 of 1231909Higher Grade SchoolBanff BanffshireScotland 
Item 123 of 123Before 1914Central SchoolFraserburgh AberdeenshireScotlandBurnt down and rebuilt - this may refer to a different school in Fraserburgh

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Ball, Victoria Reyner1997Some interiors by John Bridgeford Pirie and Arthur Clyne, Architects, Aberdeen Journal of the Decorative Arts Society, no 21 
Item 2 of 4British Architectural Library, RIBA2001Directory of British Architects 1834-1914   
Item 3 of 4Who's Who in Architecture1914    
Item 4 of 4Who's Who in Architecture1923    

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Builder11 January 1924v126 p72 - obituary
Item 2 of 2RIBA Journal9 February 1924v31London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp226 - obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSJ B Pirie Collection  
Item 2 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers F v13 p138 no841 (microfilm reel 11)
Item 3 of 3Robert Gordon's University ArchiveCollection of plans, manuscripts etc Has a set of 20 drawings and plans of St Devenick's Church, Bieldside

Images

© All rights reserved. The Builders'> 

© All rights reserved. The Builders' Journal & Architectural Engineer Vol. 30, 31 December 1909, page 617.