Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Rattray Riddell
Designation: Architect
Born: 23 October 1907
Died: 26 February 1994
Bio Notes: James Rattray Riddell was born on 23 October 1907, the son of Arthur Riddell, bookbinder, and his wife Margaret Isabella Prosser. He was articled to George Watt of Aberdeen, on 7 June 1924, attending classes at the Aberdeen School of Architecture where he obtained his post-diploma on 11 June 1930. He passed the Professional Practice examination in Edinburgh the following month and was admitted ARIBA at the end of that year, his proposers being Robert Leslie Rollo, John Alexander Ogg Allan and Clement George. By that time he had joined George Bennett Mitchell & Son as an assistant. In 1931 he moved to the office of Thomas Scott Sutherland as chief assistant, remaining there until he commenced practice on his own account in Aberdeen in March 1939. He was admitted FRIBA in 1956, his proposers being Edward Foulkes Davies, John Gibb Marr and John Alistair Ross.

Riddell died at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 26 April 1994 aged 86, survived by his wife Annie Rennie Sheed (sp?) and his daughter Sheila.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 44, Watson Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1930 *  
Item 2 of 413, Bridge Street, Aberdeen, ScotlandBusinessBefore 1939After 1970 
Item 3 of 429, Woodend Place, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate(?)1950 *1994 
Item 4 of 424, Powis Terrace, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1975  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3George Watt7 June 19241927Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3George Bennett Mitchell & Son19301931Assistant 
Item 3 of 3T Scott Sutherland1931March 1939Chief Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6John Alexander Ogg AllanLate 1930for Associateship
Item 2 of 6Edward Foulkes Davies10 April 1956For Fellowship
Item 3 of 6Clement GeorgeLate 1930for Associateship
Item 4 of 6John Gibb Marr10 April 1956For Fellowship
Item 5 of 6Robert Leslie RolloLate 1930for Associateship
Item 6 of 6John Alistair Ross10 April 1956For Fellowship

Buildings and Designs

This architect 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 91939Fire StationAlexandria DunbartonshireScotland 
Item 2 of 91939Picture House at Woodside  AberdeenScotland 
Item 3 of 91940Office block for Messrs A Hall & Company  AberdeenScotland 
Item 4 of 91946Bakery for Mr McRobb  AberdeenScotland 
Item 5 of 91947Fish Factory  AberdeenScotland 
Item 6 of 91950Egg grading station  AberdeenScotland 
Item 7 of 91953Three private houses, Springfield Road  AberdeenScotland 
Item 8 of 91954Public InnDyce AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 9 of 91955Bakery for Messrs Strathdee Ltd  AberdeenScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Municipal Annual1964Scottish Municipal Annual1964-1965  
Item 2 of 2RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Builder21 July 1939  p123
Item 2 of 2RIAS NewsletterMay 1994v5, no4 Death note

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Additional information from Bill Michie, retired partner Goerge Watt & Stewart.
Item 2 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no4582 (stored with F5190, combined box 62); F no5190 (combined box 62)
Item 3 of 3School of Architecture, Garthdee, Aberdeen, RGIT: former pupils, 1937-1970Galletly, James