Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Wellwood Manson
Designation:  
Born: 21 June 1902
Died: 11 October 1952
Bio Notes: John Wellwood Manson was born on 21 June 1902 and was articled to George Arthur Boswell in 1917, studying at Glasgow School of Architecture (1918 to 1919) and the Royal College of Technology. After completing his five-year apprenticeship he joined Abercrombie & Maitland of Paisley as assistant. He remained there until 1930 or 1931 when he secured an appointment as assistant to James Miller & Son, working on the later stages of the Commercial Bank, the BBC Buildings and other projects. He was promoted to chief assistant, and continued the practice as sole partner under the style of Miller, Son & Manson after James Miller retired following the death of his son George in 1940. The firm had offices in Glasgow and London.

Manson exhibited paintings and watercolours at the Royal Glasgow Institute in 1930 and 1931 and between 1938 and 1952, although he did not submit any architectural exhibits. He was admitted LRIBA on 9 April 1946, his proposers being James Miller, Alexander Wright and Andrew Graham Henderson.

He died on 11 October 1952. The practice was then taken over by Frank Burnet Bell & Partners who completed the few buildings then in progress.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 6St Winning, Wedderlea Drive, Cardonald, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1918 *  
Item 2 of 6103, Greenock Road, Paisley, Renfrewshire, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1930After 1934 
Item 3 of 61, Hillington Circus, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1931 *  
Item 4 of 6209, Milngavie Road, Bearsden, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1938After 1947 
Item 5 of 615, Blythswood Square, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1946 *  
Item 6 of 6345, Albert Drive, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1950After 1952 

* 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 5George Arthur Boswell19171922Apprentice 
Item 2 of 5Abercrombie & Maitland19231930Assistant 
Item 3 of 5James Miller1931c. 1936Assistant 
Item 4 of 5James Miller & Sonc. 19361940Chief Assistant 
Item 5 of 5Miller, Son & Manson19401952PartnerIn 1950 this is called 'Miller & Manson'.

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Andrew Graham Henderson9 April 1946for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3James Miller9 April 1946for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3Alexander Wright9 April 1946for Licentiateship

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 121930(?)Commercial Bank of Scotland  GlasgowScotlandAs assistant to James Miller
Item 2 of 121936BBC Broadcasting House  BelfastNorthern IrelandAs assistant to James Miller
Item 3 of 121936Medical School for WomenKelvinside GlasgowScotlandAdditions - as assistant to James Miller & Son
Item 4 of 121936North Park HouseKelvinside GlasgowScotlandLater embellishments, as assistant to James Miller
Item 5 of 12c. 1936Michael Nairn & Co Office Block and factoryKirkcaldy FifeScotlandAs assistant or chief assistant to James Miller & Son
Item 6 of 12After 1941Glasgow and West of Scotland Commercial College  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions
Item 7 of 12After 1941Ross Hall  GlasgowScotlandAlterations and additions - probably 1948 alterations for use as hotel training college
Item 8 of 12After 1941Stevenage Royal InfirmaryStevenage HertfordshireEnglandAlterations and additions
Item 9 of 121947Melvin Motors Ltd, Kingston Street  GlasgowScotland 
Item 10 of 121949Warehouse, Miller Street  GlasgowScotlandRebuilding of Ingram Street corner after war damage
Item 11 of 121951Gaur Generating StationBridge of Gaur PerthshireScotland 
Item 12 of 121951Primary School, Barmulloch No 8Barmulloch GlasgowScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3Post Office Directories     
Item 2 of 3RIBA1930The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1RIBA JournalSeptember 1953 London: Royal Institute of British ArchitectsObituary p428

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 Additional research by Iain Paterson
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no5874 (combined box 105)