Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Phin Miller Wright
Designation:  
Born: 17 August 1906
Died: 2 July 1971
Bio Notes: John Phin Miller Wright was born on 17 August 1906, the son of PAtrick Wright, mechanical engineer and his wife Margaret Jane Cooper. He was articled to George Watt of Aberdeen from July 1925 to July 1928, attending evening classes at the School of Architecture, Robert Gordon's College. He then studied full-time at the School for three years, receiving his diploma in 1930 and his post-diploma in June 1931. He passed the Professional Practice exam in the following month and immediately joined James Brown Nicol's firm of Kelly & Nicol. He was admitted ARIBA early the following year, his proposers being Watt, Nicol and R Leslie Rollo. His declaration accepting his admittance was witnessed by Peter Wright, who shared his address of 56 Elmbank Terrace and was presumably either his father or brother. Wright was also an Associate of the Aberdeen Society of Architects.

Wright remained with Nicol, latterly as chief assistant, until 1937 when he was appointed a lecturer in the School of Architecture, Robert Gordon's College. He served as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Engineers from 1939 to 1945 and from 1946 practised on his own account as John P M Wright at 106 High Street, Elgin. In 1960 he formed a partnership with John Alexander Simpson as Simpson & Wright, with an office at 96 Moss Street, Keith, still retaining his own separate office in Elgin. He was still active in both practices in 1968 when he was admitted FRIBA, proposed by Douglas W Innes, James R Riddell and John Gibb Marr. One of his proposers, Douglas William Innes, wrote in a supporting statement: 'He has always adhered to the importance of the maintenance of the position of the Architect with regard to the public in general and has been very critical of what he considered to be self-aggrandisement on the part of any of the profession, particularly if it adversely affected the environment'... that he had a 'strong personality and rigid self application to the tenets of the profession'.

At the time of his nomination to Fellow he was undertaking a wide range of work including distillery reconstruction, housing, school work, hotels and public houses, reconstruction of 18th century street architecture in Elgin and farm work.

He was a church office bearer and member of the local education and preservation committees, and pursued interests in music and photography.

Wright died suddenly on 2 July 1971 in Elgin. He was survived by his wife, Margaret Elizabeth Turner.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 622, Birnie Road, Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandPrivate 1971 
Item 2 of 656, Elmbank Terrace, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate1932 *  
Item 3 of 641, Leslie Road, Aberdeen, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1939 or 1940 *  
Item 4 of 6106, High Street, Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandBusiness1946After 1968 
Item 5 of 696, Moss Street, Keith, Aberdeenshire, ScotlandBusiness1946After 1968 
Item 6 of 610, Main Street, New Elgin, Morayshire, ScotlandPrivate1950 *  

* 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 4George WattJuly 1925July 1928Apprentice 
Item 2 of 4Kelly & NicolJuly 1931Before 1937Assistant 
Item 3 of 4Kelly & NicolAfter 19311937Chief Assistant 
Item 4 of 4Simpson & Wright19601971PartnerWright died suddenly in 1971.

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6Douglas William Innes5 June 1968For Fellowship
Item 2 of 6John Gibb Marr5 June 1968For Fellowship
Item 3 of 6James Brown NicolEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 4 of 6James Rattray Riddell5 June 1968For Fellowship
Item 5 of 6Robert Leslie RolloEarly 1932for Associateship
Item 6 of 6George WattEarly 1932for Associateship

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 319471-55 Harrison TerraceElgin MorayshireScotland 
Item 2 of 3c. 1970Birnie KirkBirnie MorayshireScotlandAlterations to windows
Item 3 of 31971Kilmolymock CloseElgin MorayshireScotlandRestoration

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 3RIBA1939The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 2 of 3RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 3RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   

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 A no4847 (stored under F6117, combined box 120); F no6117 (combined box 120)