Basic Biographical Details

Name: Alexander Cosmo Smith Auld
Designation:  
Born: 22 August 1888
Died: 1969
Bio Notes: Alexander Cosmo Smith Auld was probably articled to David Sturrock in September 1903. His FRIBA Nomination paper states that from 1903-1911 he was a pupil and assistant in the office of Alexander Nisbet Paterson. On completing his apprenticeship he undertook 'decorative work' and 'general work' until 1914, and though not officially in private practice he nevertheless undertook some work. He studied at Glasgow School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art and the Royal Technical College throughout these early years under 'the late Mon E Bourdon'. His war service from 1914 to 1919 included two years (1917-19) engaged on public works including extensions for military and naval premises, structural steelwork and reinforced concrete.

He passed the qualifying exam in London in July 1919 but did not immediately apply for Associateship of the RIBA. From 1920-1922 he notes in his Fellowship Nomination Paper that he attended 'the first atelier of architecture (design)' in London. During these years he carried out 'general work in London: office, shop, warehouse etc', whilst employed as senior assistant in the practice of Gibson & Gordon. He was admitted late that year or early the next, his proposers being James Glen Sivewright Gibson, Walter Symington Athol Gordon, and Alexander Nisbet Paterson, who wrote in his supporting statement: 'during the years he was with me, from the promise he shewed in his work and from his high personal character I looked forward with confidence to his becoming a capable architect. That anticipation I have pleasure in knowing has been fully borne out by his subsequent career.'

In 1922 Auld moved to a post as senior assistant with Sir Herbert Baker in London where he was placed in charge of certain jobs. He entered a number of competitions during his later years with Baker though these remained as designs. These included Greenwich Baths, Worthing Town Hall, Scarborough Hospital and the pavilion at Eastbourne. He remained with Baker until 1935, transferring the following year to the Miners Wefare Commission in London where his Paper indicates he worked in the department of the Senior Architect. In about 1951 he would appear to have transferred to Scotland where he worked as deputy to Donald Jack who was in charge of the Scottish Division of the Committee which by that date had become the National Coal Board. In this post he worked on the design of pithead baths, medical centres, canteens and ancilliary buildings, institutes, baths, recreation grounds, pump cabins and rehabilitation centres. Auld was elected FRIBA on 17 June 1952, hsi proposers being Donald Jack, Thomas Waller Marwick, and John D Dempster.

He died in Maidstone in Kent in 1969, his death registered between July and September.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 224, Royal Circus, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1950 *After 1957Address of National Coal Board (Miners' Welfare Commission).
Item 2 of 2Sandyknowe, Longniddry, East Lothian, ScotlandPrivate1951 *  

* 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 2David Sturrock19031909Apprentice 
Item 2 of 2Gibson & Gordonc. 1920After 1921Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 6John Austin Dempster17 June 1952For Fellowship
Item 2 of 6James Glen Sivewright GibsonLate 1921 or early 1922for Associateship
Item 3 of 6Walter Symington Athol GordonLate 1921 or early 1922for Associateship
Item 4 of 6Donald Denoon Jack17 June 1952For Fellowship
Item 5 of 6Thomas Waller Marwick17 June 1952Fior Fellowship
Item 6 of 6Alexander Nisbet PatersonLate 1921 or early 1922for 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 61913Linthouse Shipyard, general office building  GlasgowScotland 
Item 2 of 61913Ship interior work for 1st class passenger ships, the Elgin, Cubantio, Zealandia and Elizabeth  GlasgowScotlandInterior decoration
Item 3 of 61930Greenwich bathsGreenwich LondonEnglandCompetition design
Item 4 of 61930PavilionEastbourne SussexEnglandCompetition design
Item 5 of 61930Scarborough HospitalScarborough YorkshireEnglandCompetition design
Item 6 of 61930Worthing Town HallWorthing SussexEnglandCompetition design

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 2England and WalesBirths, marriages and deaths  
Item 2 of 2RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no3266 (microfilm reel 25); F no4698 (Combined Box 30)