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 Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Grey Cottage, Erin Road, Rondebosch, South AfricaPrivate1910 *  
Item 2 of 3Union Castle Buildings, Adderley Street, Cape Town, South AfricaBusiness1932 *  
Item 3 of 3Hillcote, Riverstone Road, Wynberg, South AfricaPrivate1932 *  

* 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 7Andrew Scobie25 September 1895October 1899Apprentice 
Item 2 of 7Hippolyte Jean BlancOctober 18991900Improver 
Item 3 of 7Hippolyte Jean Blanc1900August 1902Junior Assistant 
Item 4 of 7George Ransome23 September 1902March 1903Chief Assistant 
Item 5 of 7Herbert Baker & MaseyApril 1903May 1909Chief Draughtsman 
Item 6 of 7Herbert Baker & KendallJanuary 1916Before 1924Partner 
Item 7 of 7Kendall & MorrisAfter 19161924Partner 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6(Sir) Herbert BakerLate 1910for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 6Herbert John BrownleeMid 1933for Fellowship
Item 3 of 6William HawkeLate 1910for Licentiateship
Item 4 of 6William HawkeMid 1933for Fellowship
Item 5 of 6Franklin Kaye KendallLate 1910for Licentiateship
Item 6 of 6William John McWilliamsMid 1933for Fellowship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 1Robert Ian Stewart6 December 1937for Associateship

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1www.artefacts.co.za www.artefacts.co.za Website of artefacts, for the recording of South African buildings 

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L v3 no213 (microfilm reel 30); F no3114 (box 17)