Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Gray Smith | Designation: | | Born: | c. 1779 | Died: | 1862 | Bio Notes: | James Gray Smith was born c 1779 probably at Darnick, the eldest son of the architect-builder John Smith of John & Thomas Smith of Darnick. Sometime before 1819 he established himself as an architect-builder in Edinburgh, securing the title of HM Master Mason for Scotland, probably through the influence of Robert Reid. Unlike Reid he retained the title until his death in 1862. He worked in partnership with John Cuthbertson in the building firm of Smith & Cuthbertson from the early 1830s to 1851 or 1852. Following William Burn's removal from Edinburgh in 1844 he became architect to the Bank of Scotland, and by 1857 he appears to have practised in partnership with his son, whose name is unknown, as James Smith & Son. He died in 1862. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 13, Hope Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1828 or 1829(?) * | | | | 6, Charlotte Place, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1828 or 1829(?) * | c. 1851 | Until 1846 Smith & Cuthbertson and retained by Smith until 1851c | | 7, West Maitland Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1843 | c. 1844 | | | 7, West Maitland Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1855 | c. 1858 | |
* 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 | | Smith & Cuthbertson | Early 1830s | 1851 or 1852 | Partner | | | James Smith & Son | 1857 * | | Partner | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
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 | | 1828 | Rosskeen Church (and manse) | Rosskeen | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | | | 1840 | Kersie Mains, steading | | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | 1841 | Torrisdale Castle, farm steading | Carradale | | Argyll | Scotland | | | 1845 | Old Greyfriars Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Removal of roof and demolition of arcades after fire | | 1846 | Bank of Scotland, Airdrie Branch | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1846 | Parish Church | Anstruther Wester | | Fife | Scotland | Reconstruction | | 1846 | Property of the Bank of Scotland | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Completion of work | | 1847 | Bank of Scotland, Ardrossan branch | Ardrossan | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1847 | Bank of Scotland, Callander Branch | Callander | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | 1847 | Bank of Scotland, Kelso branch | Kelso | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Overseeing of repairs/additions | | 1848 | Bank of Scotland, Leith Branch | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Repairs? | | 1850 | Bank of Scotland, Blairgowrie Branch | Blairgowrie | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1850 | John Knox House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration | | 1851 | Bank of Scotland, Duns Branch | Duns | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | | 1853 | Bank of Scotland, Perth Branch | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1854 | Bank of Scotland, Ayr Branch | Ayr | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1855 | Bank of Scotland, Haddington Branch | Haddington | | East Lothian | Scotland | Major repairs and alterations | | 1857 | Gowanlochs Lands | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | 1859 | Bank of Scotland Branch | Lauriston | | Glasgow | Scotland | May have acted as contractor for this (£300 account paid 20 March 1850) |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Colvin, H M | 1995 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | 3rd edition | New Haven and London: Yale University Press | | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | | | Mylne, R S | | The Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland | | | p247 | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | Scotlands People Website | | Wills & Testaments | | | Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventory Sc70/1/114 |
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