Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Stewart McGavin
Designation:  
Born: 6 October 1904
Died: 7 December 1989
Bio Notes: James Stewart McGavin was born on 6 October 1904, the son of Alexander Morris McGavin, cashier, and his wife, Janet Stewart. He was articled to James Monro & Son in Glasgow from October 1920-October 1925 and studied for somer of this period, presumably part-time, at Glasgow School of Art. However he did not complete the course.

In 1927 he was promoted to the post of chief assistant with James Monro remaining as such until 1930. In that year he set up business on his own account and coninued to practice on his own until 1938 at 10 Lothian Gardens, Glasgow. It is not yet clear what he did from 1938 to 1940 but in the latter year he joined the Royal Engineers but worked for the Ministry of Works from 1942 to 1944. He was admitted ARIBA in 1946 (under the war exemption scheme?), proposed by Charles Ernest Monro, William Ross and Robert Matthews Mitchell. By 1950 he was AMTPI. In 1944 he became County Planning Officer for the Combined Counties of Perth & Kinross which post he would appear to have held for the rest of his career. He retired in December 1969.

His son, Kenneth Stewart McGavin, studied at Dundee College of Art and was elected ARIBA in 1966. He was still living at home in 1970. By 1979 he had a post the Department of Architectural Services, Fife Regional Council.

Neither father nor son appear in the RIBA Directory of 1994.

McGavin senior died on 7 December 1989 at Kincarrathie House, Perth. His wife, Nellie Burke, had predeceased him but he was survived by his son Kenneth who was living in Cupar at this time.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 4Kincarrathie House, Perth, Perthshire, ScotlandPrivate 1989 
Item 2 of 410, Lothian Gardens, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1934 *  
Item 3 of 4County Planning Offices, Bridgend House, Perth, Perthshire, ScotlandBusiness1950 *  
Item 4 of 4White Lodge, Mount Tabor Road, Perth, Perthshire, ScotlandPrivatec. 1964After 1987 

* 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 1Perth & Kinross County Planning Department1950 *1969Chief Architect 

* earliest date known from documented sources.

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Robert Matthew Mitchell15 January 1946For Associateship
Item 2 of 3Charles Ernest Monro15 January 1946For Associateship
Item 3 of 3William Ross15 January 1946For 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 2 New High School, BuckhavenBuckhaven FifeScotlandExtensions/modification
Item 2 of 21975Canmore Primary SchoolDunfermline FifeScotlandAs architect with Fife County Council Edication section

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 5Post Office Directories     
Item 2 of 5RIBA1950The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 London: Royal Institute of British Architects 
Item 3 of 5RIBA1964The RIBA Kalendar 1963-64   
Item 4 of 5RIBA1970RIBA Directory 1970   
Item 5 of 5RIBA1987RIBA Directory of Members 1987   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 3H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 3Professor David M Walker personal archiveProfessor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material Research by Iain Paterson
Item 3 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no8592 (Combined Box 213)