Basic Biographical Details

Name: David Smith
Designation:  
Born: 25 July 1878(?)
Died: 3 April 1938
Bio Notes: David Smith was born at Montrose on 25 July 1878, the son of Peter Culross Smith, bootmaker, and his wife Margaret Westwood. He was educated at Montrose Academy. In 1895 he was articled to McCulloch & Jamieson in Dundee, leaving at the end of his apprenticeship in 1899 to work for Hugh Gavin of Arbroath for five months. During those years he studied first at Montrose Academy (1895 to 1898) and then at the Dundee Technical Institute under Patrick Hill Thoms (from 1898). In 1900 he moved to Edinburgh to work for Victor Daniel Horsburgh so that he could study at the School of Applied Art. Seven months later he obtained a place in the office of John Murray Robertson in Dundee from which he succeeded in gaining a place first in the LCC Architects' Department in 1902, which enabled him to study at the Regent Street Polytechnic, and then the following year in the office of Leonard Stokes. Whilst with Stokes in 1903 he won the Tite Prize, enabling him to travel to Italy for four weeks. At the end of that year James Findlay, who had taken over Murray Robertson's practice after the latter's death, invited Smith to return to Dundee to assist with the Medical School and the Caird Cancer Pavilion, the latter being largely to Smith's design. The following year, 1904, he was placed second for the Soane Medallion.

Smith remained in the same firm thereafter, and while chief assistant with Findlay he built an experimental low-cost house, The Shielin at Wormit (the '£100 house'), for his own occupation. He was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, his proposers being Godfrey Daniel Bower Shepherd, Thoms and William Fleming Wilkie. He appeared in 'Who's who in Architecture' from 1914: he had clients of his own, but was generally content to remain a back-room architect concentrating on the design work of the practice.

In 1928 Smith became a partner, although his name would never appear in the practice title. In the same year the practice was merged with that of Ogilvy & Stewart, Gilbert Francis Molyneux Ogilvy withdrawing to leave Nelson T Stewart as sole partner for the merger. The practice title then became Findlay & Stewart, changing to Findlay Stewart & Robbie when Henry Pearce Robbie was taken into partnership c.1930. At this time Smith was a member of the Council of the Dundee Institute of Architects.

He died on 3 April 1938, survived by his wife Jessie Howden and a duaghter who lived in Harrow.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 233, Albert Square, Dundee, ScotlandBusiness19041938 
Item 2 of 2The Shielin, Newburgh Road, Wormit, Fife, ScotlandPrivateBefore 19111938 

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 10McCulloch & Jamieson18951899Apprentice 
Item 2 of 10Hugh Gavin18991899Junior Draughtsman 
Item 3 of 10Victor Daniel Horsburgh1900Late 1900Draughtsman 
Item 4 of 10John Murray RobertsonLate 19001902Draughtsman 
Item 5 of 10London County Council Architects' Department (LCC Architects' Department)1902Early 1903Draughtsman 
Item 6 of 10James Findlay19031928Senior Assistant 
Item 7 of 10Leonard Aloysius Scott StokesEarly 1903Late 1903Draughtsman 
Item 8 of 10James Findlay19281928Partner 
Item 9 of 10Findlay & Stewart1928c. 1930Partner 
Item 10 of 10Findlay Stewart & Robbiec. 19301938Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6William Salmond22 July 1935for Fellowship
Item 2 of 6Godfrey Daniel Bower Shepherd20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 6Charles Geddes Soutar22 July 1935for Fellowship
Item 4 of 6Patrick Hill Thoms20 July 1911for Licentiateship
Item 5 of 6Patrick Hill Thoms22 July 1935for Fellowship
Item 6 of 6William Fleming Wilkie20 July 1911for Licentiateship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 1Alastair Macrae* 

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 841903Balgay House  DundeeScotlandConversion of Balgay House into a hospital, and additions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 2 of 841903Dundee Royal Infirmary, Caird Cancer Pavilion  DundeeScotlandSuperintended work - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 3 of 841903DurnPerth PerthshireScotlandAdditions to house - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 4 of 841903Gerard HospitalMonifieth AngusScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 5 of 841903St Fillan's UF ChurchNewport-on-Tay FifeScotlandProposed additions to church and to manse - as chief assistant to and later partner of James Findlay
Item 6 of 841903University College Dundee, medical schools  DundeeScotlandSuperintended work - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 7 of 841903Victoria Works  DundeeScotlandNew WCs added - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 8 of 84After 1903BalgilloBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations including work on lodge and garage - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 9 of 84After 1903Large residence for a surgeon  DundeeScotland 
Item 10 of 84After 1903SchoolLongforgan PerthshireScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 11 of 84After 1903The ShielinWormit FifeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 12 of 841905Building in Croft LaneKirriemuir AngusScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 13 of 841905Shops and buildingsKirriemuir AngusScotlandAlterations to building - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 14 of 841906Abernyte School and schoolhouseAbernyte AngusScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 15 of 841906AvabankBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 16 of 841906Carron CottageNewport FifeScotlandAlterations and additions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 17 of 841906Cottage for Mr OgilvyKirriemuir AngusScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 18 of 841906CrossmountPerth PerthshireScotlandAlterations and additions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 19 of 841906HazelwoodWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations and garden seat - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 20 of 841906Manhattan Works  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 21 of 841907Dryburgh House (Camperdown Estate)Lochee DundeeScotlandAdditions and alterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 22 of 841907Dundee Royal Infirmary  DundeeScotlandSuperintended alterations and additions to hospital, including operating theatres and lodge at main gate - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 23 of 841907Seathwood House, lodge and gatepiers  DundeeScotlandMotor house - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 24 of 841907Villa for Dr SibbaldStanley PerthshireScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 25 of 841908TaycliffWest Ferry DundeeScotlandWest wing added - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 26 of 841908Villa and semi-detached villaBarnhill DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 27 of 841909Abernyte School and schoolhouseAbernyte AngusScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 28 of 841909Comerton Children's Home  FifeScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 29 of 84c. 1909Blyth Memorial Hall (and municipal buildings)Newport FifeScotlandAlterations? - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 30 of 841910Shop and dwelling house for Mr P FairweatherBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 31 of 841910Tenement in Church StreetBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 32 of 841911Caird Nurses' Home  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 33 of 841911LinfieldWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 34 of 84After 1911(?)Licensed premisesHawkhill DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 35 of 841912Grey Lodge  DundeeScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 36 of 84c. 1912Butterstone House  PerthshireScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 37 of 841914Cape Verde Islands, bungalow   Cape Verde IslandsAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 38 of 841914Dundee Women's Hospital  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 39 of 841919Dundee High School, memorial screen  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 40 of 841919Hospital Park Housing Scheme  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay in design of buildings; scheme planned by James Thomson, Dundee City Architect
Item 41 of 841919Reres CottageBarnhill DundeeScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 42 of 841919St ClareTayport FifeScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 43 of 841920sDundee Savings Bank branches  DundeeScotland 
Item 44 of 841920Brae CottageBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions and alterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 45 of 841920FairfieldWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 46 of 84c. 1920CottageMeigle PerthshireScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 47 of 841921Belmont House  DundeeScotlandAdditions? - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 48 of 841921Dundee City Improvement Scheme buildings in High Street  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 49 of 841922Villa, Rockfield Crescent and Hyndford Street  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 50 of 841923ArdmoreKirriemuir AngusScotlandRestoration - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 51 of 841923CaenlochanWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations and additions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 52 of 841924HazelwoodWest Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations to house and addition of garage - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 53 of 841924Holiday HomeAuchterhouse DundeeScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 54 of 841924Netherwood  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 55 of 841925Annfield HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 56 of 841925BungalowBarnhill DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 57 of 841925Dundee High School, Arbroath Road Pavilion  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 58 of 841925Semi-detached cottagesWormit FifeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 59 of 841926Caledonian Insurance Building  DundeeScotlandAdditions - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 60 of 841926HouseWormit FifeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 61 of 841926House, Glamis Road  DundeeScotlandAs chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 62 of 841927Glenisla ManseGlenisla AngusScotlandAdditions and coal house - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 63 of 841927Kingoldrum ManseKingoldrum PerthshireScotlandAlterations - as chief assistant to James Findlay
Item 64 of 841928Bungalow, Blackness Road and Glamis Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 65 of 841928Dundee High School, Janitor's house at boys' school  DundeeScotland 
Item 66 of 841928Gate Lodge, DunalastairBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 67 of 841930Double villa, Hyndford Street  DundeeScotland 
Item 68 of 841930Glamis House  DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 69 of 841930Premises for M Boyle's Trust  DundeeScotlandReconstruction
Item 70 of 841931Bungalow, Dalgleish Road  DundeeScotland 
Item 71 of 841933Caird Nurses' Home  DundeeScotlandAlterations
Item 72 of 841934Cottages, Pond LaneTayport FifeScotland 
Item 73 of 841934Four shopsBarnhill DundeeScotland 
Item 74 of 841934Guardbridge Co-operative Society Buildings, including stablesTayport FifeScotland 
Item 75 of 841934Robertson's furniture store  DundeeScotland 
Item 76 of 841935Beach HouseBroughty Ferry DundeeScotlandLarge extension to north west
Item 77 of 841935Building, Carnleith PlaceAlyth PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 78 of 841935Dundee Savings Bank  DundeeScotland 
Item 79 of 841935Garage Workshop and Showroom - Reid, Johnstone, Bell and Henderson  DundeeScotland 
Item 80 of 841935Holiday HomeAuchterhouse DundeeScotlandAdditions
Item 81 of 841937Carn-ElrigBoat of Garten Inverness-shireScotland 
Item 82 of 841937Flass Road Housing Scheme, block of 6 housesNewport FifeScotland 
Item 83 of 841937Guardbridge Co-operative Society bakeryGuardbridge FifeScotlandAdditions
Item 84 of 841938The ElmsMonikie AngusScotlandAlterations

References

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2British Architect22 January 1904  pp60-61
Item 2 of 2RIBA Journal18 July 1938v45London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp896 - obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Personal information from H Pearce Robbie and Robert Dron
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L v20 no1590; F no3288 (box 20)