Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert George Haddon Turnbull
Designation:  
Born: 12 August 1919
Died: 26 September 1998
Bio Notes: Robert George Haddon Turnbull was born on 12 August 1919, the son of George Turnbull, electrical engineer, and his wife, Alice Wiseman. From 1933-he took the year-long the preparatory course in building construction at Glasgow High School and in 1934 began classes, both day and evening, at Glasgow School of Art and the Royal Technical College. He completed the Certificate Course in 1938 and the following year took the post-certificate course and passed the relevant exams. During the same period 1933-38 he was articled in the office of J M Monro & Sons remaining from 1938-40 for a further two years as assistant.

Turnbull's studies were interrupted by the Second World War when he served as a Captain, 1940-45 with the Royal Engineers. After the cease of hostilities he became as assistant to Launcelot Ross in whose offices he had already spent some time during his vacations. He was still with Ross at the time of his election to membership of the RIBA, proposed by Launcelot Hugh Ross, Professor William James Smith and Thomas Johnston Beveridge.

At some point Turnbull took a post with the Scottish Development in the Planning Division, Edinburgh. He rose to the position of Deputy Chief Town and Country Planning Officer with the Scottish Office. He retired in about 1981 and resigned from the RIBA in 1983. For some time prior to his retirement he had not been involved with architectural activities, his work centering on planning matters.

Turnbull died on 26 September 1998 at St Columba's Hospice, Edinburgh, survived by his wife, Joan Dorothy Bird.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 24, Gordon Street, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1947  
Item 2 of 249, Coillesdene Avenue, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivateBefore 19831998 

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 3J M Monro & Son19331938Apprentice 
Item 2 of 3J M Monro & Son19381940Assistant 
Item 3 of 3Launcelot Hugh Ross1945After 1947Assistant 

RIBA

RIBA Proposers

The following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate proposedNotes
Item 1 of 3Thomas Johnston Beveridge24 June 1947For Associateship
Item 2 of 3Launcelot Hugh Ross24 June 1947For Associateship
Item 3 of 3(Professor) William James Smith24 June 1947For Associateship

References

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no 9072 (Combined Box 221)