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 Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 413, Hope Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1828 or 1829(?) *  
Item 2 of 46, Charlotte Place, Leith, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1828 or 1829(?) *c. 1851Until 1846 Smith & Cuthbertson and retained by Smith until 1851c
Item 3 of 47, West Maitland Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1843c. 1844 
Item 4 of 47, West Maitland Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1855c. 1858 

* 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 2Smith & CuthbertsonEarly 1830s1851 or 1852Partner 
Item 2 of 2James Smith & Son1857 * Partner 

* earliest date known from documented sources.


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 191828Rosskeen Church (and manse)Rosskeen Ross and CromartyScotland 
Item 2 of 191840Kersie Mains, steading  StirlingshireScotland 
Item 3 of 191841Torrisdale Castle, farm steadingCarradale ArgyllScotland 
Item 4 of 191845Old Greyfriars Church  EdinburghScotlandRemoval of roof and demolition of arcades after fire
Item 5 of 191846Bank of Scotland, Airdrie BranchAirdrie LanarkshireScotland 
Item 6 of 191846Parish ChurchAnstruther Wester FifeScotlandReconstruction
Item 7 of 191846Property of the Bank of Scotland  EdinburghScotlandCompletion of work
Item 8 of 191847Bank of Scotland, Ardrossan branchArdrossan AyrshireScotland 
Item 9 of 191847Bank of Scotland, Callander BranchCallander StirlingshireScotland 
Item 10 of 191847Bank of Scotland, Kelso branchKelso RoxburghshireScotlandOverseeing of repairs/additions
Item 11 of 191848Bank of Scotland, Leith BranchLeith EdinburghScotlandRepairs?
Item 12 of 191850Bank of Scotland, Blairgowrie BranchBlairgowrie PerthshireScotland 
Item 13 of 191850John Knox House  EdinburghScotlandRestoration
Item 14 of 191851Bank of Scotland, Duns BranchDuns BerwickshireScotland 
Item 15 of 191853Bank of Scotland, Perth BranchPerth PerthshireScotland 
Item 16 of 191854Bank of Scotland, Ayr BranchAyr AyrshireScotland 
Item 17 of 191855Bank of Scotland, Haddington BranchHaddington East LothianScotlandMajor repairs and alterations
Item 18 of 191857Gowanlochs Lands  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 19 of 191859Bank of Scotland BranchLauriston GlasgowScotlandMay have acted as contractor for this (£300 account paid 20 March 1850)

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Colvin, H M1995A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-18403rd editionNew Haven and London: Yale University Press 
Item 2 of 6Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 3 of 6Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 4 of 6Mylne, R S The Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland  p247
Item 5 of 6Post Office Directories     
Item 6 of 6Scotlands People Website Wills & Testaments  Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventory Sc70/1/114