Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Morris | Designation: | | Born: | 9 February 1878 | Died: | 25 May 1964 | Bio Notes: | James Morris was born in 1878 and was articled to Andrew Scobie of Dunfermline on 25 September 1895. On completing his apprenticeship in October 1899 he moved to Edinburgh to work as improver and later junior assistant with Hippolyte Jean Blanc, enabling him to study at Heriot-Watt College. He left Blanc's office in August 1902 and emigrated to South Africa, arriving on 23 September and securing a place in the office of George Ransome in Cape Town.
In April 1903 he transferred to the office of Herbert Baker & Masey, also in Cape Town. Whilst with them he acted as resident draughtsman and supervisor of works for Cape Town Cathedral, for the purposes of which he undertook a study tour of the Gothic architecture of Northern France in August 1906. He commenced practice on his own account in Cape Town in June 1909, and was admitted LRIBA in late 1910, his proposers being Baker and Franklin Kaye Kendall and William Hawke, also of Cape Town.
In January 1916 he was taken into partnership by Baker and Kendall, the firm becoming Kendall & Morris after Baker's withdrawal from direct contact with South Africa. This partnership was dissolved in 1924, whereupon Morris spent time travelling in England, Italy, France and Holland before returning to practise on his own account in Cape Town. In addition to his architectural output, which mainly comprised educational, domestic and farm buildings, Morris designed a considerable amount of furniture in the South African Dutch style.
He was elected FRIBA in mid-1933, proposed by Hawke, William J McWilliams of Port Elizabeth, and Herbert John Brownlee.
Published papers: 'Colour in Architecture' 'The History of Furniture and its special application to South African Furniture' 'Design of Farm Buildings' 'Practical Wrinkles and Tips for Everyday Work'
See www.artefacts.co.za for full details of his later career. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Grey Cottage, Erin Road, Rondebosch, South Africa | Private | 1910 * | | | | Union Castle Buildings, Adderley Street, Cape Town, South Africa | Business | 1932 * | | | | Hillcote, Riverstone Road, Wynberg, South Africa | Private | 1932 * | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | Robert Ian Stewart | 6 December 1937 | for Associateship |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | www.artefacts.co.za | | www.artefacts.co.za | | Website of artefacts, for the recording of South African buildings | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v3 no213 (microfilm reel 30); F no3114 (box 17) |
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