Basic Biographical Details

Name: Thomas William Leslie Dorrance
Designation:  
Born: 19 October 1905
Died: 3 August 1972
Bio Notes: Thomas William Leslie Dorrance was born on 19 October 1905, the son of Henry Dorrance, hairdresser, and his wife, Jessie Gray Beattie (or Leslie). He was articled to Ebenezer James MacRae, Edinburgh City Architect, from 1924 to 1929, studying at Edinburgh College of Art and Heriot-Watt College. He achieved first-class technical certificates and was exempt from the intermediate exam, and he won first prize in an Edinburgh Architectural Association competition. On completion of his apprenticeship and studies in 1929, he remained on MacRae's staff in the City Architect's Office.

He was a member of the Edinburgh Architectural Association in 1939-40. His address at that date was 11 Orwell Place, Edinburgh. He served as a staff caption in the field during the Second World War, and was on Marshall Montgomerie's HP. On his demobilisation, he rejoined the City Architect's Office.

He was admitted LRIBA on 11 March 1947, his proposers being MacRae, John Ross McKay and Charles Edward Tweedie. He was still in the City Architect's Office at that time.

Dorrance died on 3 August 1972 aged 66 at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh. He was survived by his wife Helen Thomson.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 316, Grange Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate 1972 
Item 2 of 311, Orwell Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1939  
Item 3 of 311, Thirlestane Road, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivateBefore 1947After 1950 

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 4Edinburgh City Architect's Department (Edinburgh Corporation)19241929Apprenticeunder Ebenezer James MacRae
Item 2 of 4Ebenezer James MacRae19241929Apprenticein Edinburgh City Architect's Office
Item 3 of 4Edinburgh City Architect's Department (Edinburgh Corporation)1929After 1947Assistantunder Ebenezer James MacRae; excluding war years
Item 4 of 4Ebenezer James MacRae1929After 1947Assistantin Edinburgh City Architect's Office; excluding war years

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Ebenezer James MacRae11 March 1947for Licentiateship
Item 2 of 3John Ross McKay11 March 1947for Licentiateship
Item 3 of 3Charles Edward Tweedie (junior)11 March 1947for 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 31931Saughton Golf Course Housing Estate (Whitson)Saughton EdinburghScotlandDesigner of Type 23 tenement at Saughton Golf Course
Item 2 of 31935St Leonards Street council housing Edinburgh EdinburghScotland 
Item 3 of 31936Craigmillar Council HousingCraigmillar, Edinburgh EdinburghScotlandIndividual tenement at Craigmillar

References

Bibliographic References

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

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2H M Register HouseDeath Register  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers L no6049 (combined box 116)