Basic Biographical Details

Name: David Paton
Designation:  
Born: 1801
Died: 1882
Bio Notes: David Paton was born in Edinburgh in 1801, the son of John Paton, a speculative builder. David Paton attended the University of Edinburgh and afterwards spent some time in his father's successful business before setting up as an architect. He appears to have spent some time in Paris in 1825 as plans of several buildings dating from that year were among drawings sold by the Signet Library in 1960. He spent some months between November 1829 and May 1830 in the office of Sir John Soane.

After the death of his wife in February 1833 he Paton moved to New York and had an important role in refining the design drawn up by Ithiel Town of the North Carolina State Capitol here in Raleigh and remaining to supervise the construction from (1833-34). It was completed in 1840. Paton was dissatisfied with his remuneration and returned to Edinburgh that year. His practice does not appear to have been large. He returned to New York in 1849 and died there in 1882.

The survivng pages of the album of drawings sold by the Signet Library in 1960 were acquired by RCAHMS in 1996.

It is unclear who the David Paton is who is described in his will as 'wright and builder in Edinburgh' and whose will was registered on 6 March 1858 (see Edinburgh Sheriff Court Inventories SC70/1/96 and SC70/4/56).

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 5New York, United States of AmericaBusiness18331840 
Item 2 of 566, Great King Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1841 With his father and other members of the family.
Item 3 of 532, Dundas Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1842c. 1845 
Item 4 of 53, Trinity Crescent, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1846c. 1849 
Item 5 of 5New York, United States of AmericaPrivate/business18491882 

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 8After 182025-29 Dundas Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 2 of 818214-8 St Vincent Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 8After 18224-14 Doune Terrace  EdinburghScotlandJames Paton as builder and David Paton as architect
Item 4 of 8c. 182259-73 Cumberland Street  EdinburghScotlandAs builder
Item 5 of 818241-3 York Place and 15-19 North St Andrew Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 6 of 8c. 1824St Stephen Street and North West Circus Place corner  EdinburghScotlandWith his father, John Paton, as builder
Item 7 of 8c. 1824Summerfield House  EdinburghScotland 
Item 8 of 81833State CapitolRaleigh North CarolinaUnited States of AmericaRefined design of Ithiel Town and supervised construction.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 2Post Office Directories     

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Architectural Heritage198613 Article by Mary Jane Scott: 'David Paton'
Item 2 of 2Architectural Heritage1999  pp116-7

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Courtesy of Catherine BashirInformation via the website Sent April 2008