Basic Biographical Details

Name: John Hardie Glover
Designation:  
Born: 21 February 1913
Died: 6 April 1994
Bio Notes: John Hardie Glover was born in North Berwick on 21 February 1913, the son of Thomas Glover, school teacher and his wife Elizabeth Hardie. He studied at the School of Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art from 1931 to 1937, with a gap for a year's practical training in the office of Dick Peddie, Todd & Jamieson. He was awarded a travelling scholarship that enabled him to visit France and Italy in 1936. On receiving his diploma in 1937, he was appointed assistant to Leslie Grahame Thomson & Connell. The next year he was given an exemption from the final exam and was admitted ARIBA, his proposers being William James Walker Todd, Leslie Grahame Thomson and Frank Charles Mears. He then left Thomson's office to join that of Thomas Aikman Swan.

His career was interrupted by war service (1939-46) in Great Britain and India with the Royal Engineers. On his return he was appointed Architect to the Council of Industrial Design (Scottish Committee). Two years later he joined Basil Spence & Partners, where he was promoted to the role of associate in 1950 and taken into partnership in 1956, along with Peter Scott Ferguson.

Glover was elected ARIAS in 1955 and FRIBA in 1960. His and Ferguson's roles in the Spence firm were formally recognised by a change of the practice title in 1964 to Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson. The impetus behind this change was the splitting of the branch office Spence had set up in London in 1961 into two distinct practices. An associate, James Beveridge, was taken into partnership in the Edinburgh practice in 1968.

In 1969 Glover was honoured with an OBE, as well as being admitted ARSA. It was also in 1969 that the practice suffered the loss of Ferguson, who died after an illness. Three years later, on Spence's retirement, Glover became senior partner. He was joined by new partners Andrew Merrylees in that year and John Legge in 1973, both of whom had previously been associates. Glover's obituarist notes that without Glover's 'sensitive and creative guidance' the practice 'would not have made the significant impact that it did on Scottish architecture from the Fifties through to the Eighties'.

He retired from practice in 1980, but remained as a consultant to the firm. He was elevated to FRSA in 1981.

Glover was a 'quiet, unassuming but immensely talented man'. He died at home on 6 April 1994, survived by his wife Laura Millicent James (d.25 December 2004), son John H, daughter Viki and six grandchildren, one of whom went on to study architecture himself.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness   
Item 2 of 45, Traquair Park, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1948 *  
Item 3 of 440, Moray Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness19481980Basil Spence & Partners and subsequently Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson
Item 4 of 4The Coach House/14, Belford Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 19491994 

* 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 7Dick Peddie, Todd & Jamiesonc. 1936c. 1936AssistantPractical experience before qualifying
Item 2 of 7Leslie Grahame Thomson & Connell19371938Assistant 
Item 3 of 7Thomas Aikman Swan19381939Assistant 
Item 4 of 7Basil Spence & Partners19491956AssociateIn Edinburgh office.
Item 5 of 7Basil Spence & Partners19561963PartnerIn Edinburgh office.
Item 6 of 7Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson19641972Partner 
Item 7 of 7Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson19721980Senior PartnerGlover retired in 1980, but remained as consultant to the firm thereafter.

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6Peter DunhamMid 1960 or late 1960for Fellowship
Item 2 of 6Robert Hogg MatthewMid 1960 or late 1960for Fellowship
Item 3 of 6(Sir) Frank Charles Mears7 March 1938for Associateship
Item 4 of 6(Sir) Basil Urwin SpenceMid 1960 or late 1960for Fellowship
Item 5 of 6Leslie Grahame Thomson (or Leslie Grahame-Thomson; later Leslie Grahame MacDougall)7 March 1938for Associateship
Item 6 of 6William James Walker Todd7 March 1938for Associateship

RIBA Proposals

This proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Peter Burnett Caird16 July 1969For Fellowship
Item 2 of 3(Sir) Harry Anthony Wheeler (or simply Sir Anthony Wheeler)19 July 1967for Fellowship
Item 3 of 3Henry Wylie (or Harry Wylie)2 December 1968For Fellowship

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 82 Drumbeg House   Scotland 
Item 2 of 821939West CourtLongniddry East LothianScotlandCompleted the job
Item 3 of 821946Housing, 19A, 19B, 19C Victoria Street and 10, 12 Writer's CourtDunbar East LothianScotlandJob architect
Item 4 of 821947Enterprise Scotland 1947 Exhibition  EdinburghScotlandClaims to have worked on this, although before he joined Spence firm
Item 5 of 821947Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings  GlasgowScotlandExtension to N, for research and housing the synchrotron.
Item 6 of 821948Housing, 1-6 Harbour Court, Castle GateDunbar East LothianScotlandJob architect
Item 7 of 821948Housing, 15A-15D Victoria Street and 8 Writer's CourtDunbar East LothianScotlandJob architect
Item 8 of 821948Housing, Victoria PlaceDunbar East LothianScotlandJob architect
Item 9 of 82c. 1949(?)Scottish Industries Exhibition (uncertain date - perhaps 1949?)  GlasgowScotlandUnspecified work mentioned in FRIBA paper
Item 10 of 821950Premises for R S Robertson & Scott   Scotland 
Item 11 of 821951Festival of Britain Scotland, Exhibition of Industrial Power, Kelvin Hall  GlasgowScotlandWorking for Basil Spence & Partners
Item 12 of 82After 1951Private house(s)Bedale YorkshireScotlandUnclear whether Glover was involved or whether Ferguson was wholly responsible
Item 13 of 82After 1951Private house(s)Ormiston East LothianScotlandUnclear whether Glover was involved or whether Ferguson was wholly responsible
Item 14 of 82Before 1951Fishermen's Cottages, DunbarDunbar East LothianScotlandWorking for Basil Spence & Partners
Item 15 of 821953Housing, Buncles Court and Lamer StreetDunbar East LothianScotlandJob architect
Item 16 of 821954Council housesDunbar East LothianScotlandWorked on the implementation of the reduced scheme while in the office of Basil Spence & Partners
Item 17 of 821954Inch Hall ChurchInch EdinburghScotland 
Item 18 of 821954St Andrew's ChurchClermiston EdinburghScotland 
Item 19 of 821955Community HallBroughton PeeblesshireScotland 
Item 20 of 821955Scottish Agricultural Industries Fertilizer WorksLeith Edinburgh, MidlothianScotlandIn consultation with Kinnear & Gordon
Item 21 of 821956Bannerfield EstateSelkirk SelkirkshireScotland 
Item 22 of 821956Flats, Great Michael Rise and AnnfieldNewhaven EdinburghScotland 
Item 23 of 821956Tenement blocks, New LaneNewhaven EdinburghScotland 
Item 24 of 821956Tenements, 14-20 Great Michael RiseNewhaven EdinburghScotland 
Item 25 of 821956Tenements, 4-12 Great Michael RiseNewhaven EdinburghScotland 
Item 26 of 821956Tenements, New LaneNewhaven EdinburghScotland 
Item 27 of 821956Western General Hospital, Old Boiler House  EdinburghScotland 
Item 28 of 821957George Watson's School, head masters house  EdinburghScotland 
Item 29 of 821957Trinity College GlenalmondGlenalmond PerthshireScotlandExtension at E end of N range
Item 30 of 821958Housing, Gorbals Redevelopment Scheme, Commercial Road AreaGorbals GlasgowScotland 
Item 31 of 821958Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area C Housing RedevelopmentHutchesontown/Gorbals GlasgowScotland 
Item 32 of 821958Scottish Widows Head Office  EdinburghScotlandWork supervised by Glover
Item 33 of 821958Thurso High SchoolThurso CaithnessScotland 
Item 34 of 821959Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings  GlasgowScotlandW, for teaching and lecture theatre.
Item 35 of 821959Western General Hospital, Operating Theatre Block  Edinburgh, MidlothianScotland 
Item 36 of 82Late 1950s(?)Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, blood transfusion extension  EdinburghScotland 
Item 37 of 82Mid 1950sNormal College (later University Staff Club)  EdinburghScotlandMajor alterations- designed staff club as partner in charge of Basil Spence's Edinburgh office per Builder p912
Item 38 of 821960sDurham University, St Aidan's CollegeDurham Co. DurhamEngland 
Item 39 of 821960sEdinburgh University Library  EdinburghScotlandPartner-in-charge
Item 40 of 821960sGlasgow Royal Infirmary  GlasgowScotlandRedevelopment
Item 41 of 821960sGlasgow Royal Infirmary  GlasgowScotlandRedevelopment
Item 42 of 821960sICI Silicones FactoryArdeer AyrshireScotland 
Item 43 of 821960sKing's College, University of Durham, Physics Department  Newcastle-upon-TyneEngland 
Item 44 of 821960sNewcastle Central Library and Laing Art Gallery  Newcastle-upon-TyneEngland 
Item 45 of 821960sProcter & Gamble computer building     
Item 46 of 821960sSecondary SchoolDinnington SheffieldEngland 
Item 47 of 821960sUniversity College Dublin library  DublinEire 
Item 48 of 821960RHS Ingliston showground, Yorkshire Insurance StandIngliston EdinburghScotland 
Item 49 of 821960Royal Showground Stoneleigh, Yorkshire Insurance StandStoneleigh WarwickshireEngland 
Item 50 of 821960Trinity College Glenalmond, Reid's HouseGlenalmond PerthshireScotland 
Item 51 of 82After 1960King's College, University of Durham, Research Block  Newcastle-upon-TyneEngland 
Item 52 of 82Before 1960Associated Electrical Industries showroom  GlasgowScotland 
Item 53 of 82Before 1960House for A H Alexander  EdinburghScotland 
Item 54 of 82Before 1960Recreation centre for Scottish OilsGrangemouth StirlingshireScotland 
Item 55 of 82Before 1960Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society branch  EdinburghScotland 
Item 56 of 82Before 1960University of Edinburgh, Department of Natural Philosophy  EdinburghScotlandExtension
Item 57 of 82Before 1960University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Animal Breeding Research Organisation Headquarters  EdinburghScotlandWilliam Norman Hunter was job architect
Item 58 of 82196165-71 and 97-103 Canongate and 1-3 Brown's Close  EdinburghScotland 
Item 59 of 821961Glasgow (Abbotsinch) Airportnr Paisley RenfrewshireScotland£2m terminal building
Item 60 of 821961Ten (10) 19-storey tower blocks, New GorbalsNew Gorbals GlasgowScotland 
Item 61 of 821961Trinity College Glenalmond, SanatoriumGlenalmond PerthshireScotlandAltered and extended
Item 62 of 821962Trinity College Glenalmond, ChapelGlenalmond PerthshireScotlandNew gallery and screen
Item 63 of 821964Crookfur Old People's Homes, Crookfur RoadNewton Mearns RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 64 of 821964Mortonhall Crematorium  EdinburghScotland 
Item 65 of 821966Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings  GlasgowScotlandFurther additions
Item 66 of 821966University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwell BuildingThe King's Buildings EdinburghScotlandPartner in charge
Item 67 of 821966University of Edinburgh, Regional Computing Centre and Lecture Theatre Wing  EdinburghScotlandPartner in charge
Item 68 of 821966Western General Hospital, laundry and boiler house  EdinburghScotland 
Item 69 of 821968Bar and Buffet Extension at Glasgow (Abbotsinch) AirportAbbotsinch GlasgowScotland 
Item 70 of 821970sAston University Library  BirminghamEngland 
Item 71 of 821970sEdinburgh Centre for Rural Economy, Bush Estate  EdinburghScotland 
Item 72 of 821970sHarry Younger Hall  EdinburghScotland 
Item 73 of 821970sWestern General Hospital, Sisters' Quarters  EdinburghScotlandAlterations
Item 74 of 82c. 1970Burrell Collection  GlasgowScotlandCompetition design
Item 75 of 821971University of Strathclyde, Queen Elizabeth Building  GlasgowScotland 
Item 76 of 821972Heriot-Watt University, libraryRiccarton MidlothianScotlandSenior partner
Item 77 of 821972Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Head Office  EdinburghScotlandPartner-in-charge
Item 78 of 821974Automobile Association HeadquartersErskine RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 79 of 821976National Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh West End  EdinburghScotlandNew bank encapsulating old building.
Item 80 of 821981University of Newcastle, Departments of Mining and Geology  Newcastle-upon-TyneEngland 
Item 81 of 82Before 1981Aston University, management centre  BirminghamEngland 
Item 82 of 82Before 1981Project for oil refineryInvergordon Ross & CromartyScotlandPerhaps not involved

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5Glendinning, Miles1997Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75  Tuckwell Press LtdpXI A 1958 sketch perspective of Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area 'C' proposed blocks
pXII Demolition of Hutchesontown 'C' September 1993
p10 Image of Thomas Whalen's 'Coal Cliff' relief for the 1951 Exhibition of Industrial Power
p14 Harbour Court Housing, Dunbar
p20, p39, p92-4, p98-102, p144-7, p175 Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area 'C'
pp38, 96, 98, 162 Mortonhall Crematorium
p96-7 Lamer Street Housing, Dunbar
p97 Thurso High School
p98 Abbotsinch Airport
p141-2, p165-7 Edinburgh University Library
p159-60 Fishermen's Houses, Dunbar
Item 2 of 5Glendinning, Miles and Muthesius, Stefan1994Tower Block: Modern Public Housing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland Yale University Press: New Haven and LondonHutchesontown Area C: p170, p224, p327, p368
Item 3 of 5http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/122525/details/edinburgh+george+square+univ http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/122525/details/edinburgh+george+square+university+of+edinburgh+library/  Edinburgh University Library
Accessed 21.04.12
Item 4 of 5RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 5 of 5Willis, Peter1977New architecture in Scotland  p8, p10 Fishermen's Houses
p14, p38-41 Mortonhall Crematorium
p46-7 Edinburgh University Library
p60-1 Scottish Widows

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scotsman15 April 1994  Obituary

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3RIAS, Rutland SquareRecords of membership  
Item 2 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no6672 (stored under F5473); F no5473 (combined box 81)
Item 3 of 3Sent to DSA by emailInformation from AHRC/RCAHMS Spence project per David W Walker and Clive Fenton Clive Fenton's research notes (sent July 2010)