Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | Horace Arthur Rendel Govan | Designation: | Architect | Born: | 13 July 1908 | Died: | 24 September 1989 | Bio Notes: | Horace Arthur Rendel Govan was born on 13 July 1908, the son of Horace Govan, minister of the Congregational Church and his wife. He was articled to Lorimer & Matthew from 1927 to 1932, studying at Edinburgh College of Art. He studied full-time at the College from 1932 to 1935, during which period he was awarded two minor travelling scholarships which enabled him to visit Holland in July 1933 and Germany in July 1934. He obtained his diploma in June 1935, passed the Professional Practice exam the following month. He achieved the RIBA Distinction in Town Planning at some point about this time. In the summer of 1935 he was a temporary assistant to Lorimer & Matthew before taking up a one-year post-diploma scholarship in the College's Department of Civic Design. He was admitted on 2 December that year, his proposers being Begg, John Fraser Matthew and A Nicol Bruce, the then secretary of the RIAS. In his supporting statement, Matthew wrote that Govan had been 'particularly keen and anxious to do well' as an apprentice and had rendered 'valuable assistance' during his recent spell in his office.
Govan was also an Associate of the Edinburgh Architectural Association. He appears to have been a teacher at Edinburgh College in the late 1930s. His home address at that time was 22 Craig's Avenue where he may also have conducted a private practice. In 1948 he formed some kind of loose partnership with John Netherby Graham, or perhaps acted in an advisory role to Graham when Graham drew up his scheme for a Festival Centre for the Grassmarket. In 1956 he was elected ARIAS.
Govan moved to work for Sir Frank Mears & Partners sometime prior to 1969.
Govan had retired by January 1979 when he resigned his RIBA membership. He died at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on 24 September 1989, survived by his wife Margaret Reid Arthur and his son who lived in Gloucestershire. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 18, Ravelston Park, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1935 * | | |  | Edinburgh College of Art, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1938 | 1940 | |  | 22, Craig's Avenue, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private/business(?) | 1939 * | | |  | 1A, Hailes Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1950 * | After 1955 | |  | 46, Northumberland Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1964 * | | |  | Glenrock/18, Glenlockhart Road, Edinburgh , Scotland | Private | Before 1970 | 1989 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this architect for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes |  | John Begg | 2 December 1935 | for Associateship |  | John Fraser Matthew | 2 December 1935 | for Associateship |
Buildings and Designs
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | p9 Image of Baker Street redevelopment p25 |  | Glendinning, Miles and Muthesius, Stefan | 1994 | Tower Block: Modern Public Housing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland | | Yale University Press: New Haven and London | p381, Gazetteer 2. Baker Street |  | Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | | |  | Post Office Directories | | | | | |  | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |  | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this architect: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes |  | Official Architecture and Planning | April 1954 | | | p160-2 Baker Street |  | Scotsman | 1 September 1948 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this architect: | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes |  | H M Register House | Death Register | | |  | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | |  | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no5840 (combined box 103) |
Images © All rights reserved. RIAS Quarterly no47 Autumn 1934 |