Basic Biographical Details

Name: John William MacDonald (or McDonald)
Designation:  
Born: 4 February 1904
Died: 15 January 1985
Bio Notes: John William MacDonald (born McDonald but later changed to MacDonald) was born on 4 February 1904, the son of John McDonald, master grocer, and his wife Agnes Campbell. From 3 January 1919 he was articled to Hamilton Neil and following the completion of his articles he remained with him as assistant and afterwards as draughtsman. He attended continuation and evening classes at Glasgow School of Art. He subsequently enrolled on the Diploma Course at the School and acted as a teaching assistant to Thomas Harold Hughes, Professor of Architecture and Director of the School, during this period.

By the time of his election as ARIBA in early 1932, proposed by Hamilton Neil, Thomas Harold Hughes and George Arthur Boswall, he had a post in the architect's department of Allied Suppliers Ltd, Glasgow. Hamilton Neil remarked in his paper on MacDonald's 'ability in his work' and that he had 'gained an excellent knowledge of every branch of the profession'. By this time he had taken a job in the architect's department of retail chain Allied Suppliers (Scotland) Ltd. He remained there until his retirement in 1968, being promoted to Chief Architect in autumn 1933, and was responsible for new buildings and fittings and the maintenance of all retail outlets stores and offices throughout Scotland with which the company was associated.

He died on 15 January 1985 at his home in Bishopbriggs. He was survived by his wife Jessie Grant and at least one son who was probably the architect John Grant MacDonald.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 46, Loskin Drive, High Possil, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1932 *  
Item 2 of 4Allied Suppliers Scotland Ltd/68, Hydepark Street, Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness1932 *  
Item 3 of 4Grianan, Beaufort Drive, Kirkintilloch, Glasgow, S, ScotlandPrivate/business1950 *1970sUntil at least 1979
Item 4 of 414, Park Court, Bishopbriggs, Glasgow, ScotlandPrivate1984  

* 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 6Hamilton Neil1919c. 1924Apprentice 
Item 2 of 6Hamilton Neilc. 1924 Assistant 
Item 3 of 6Thomas Harold Hughesc. 1929c. 1931AssistantTeaching assistant at Glasgow School of Art, while studying
Item 4 of 6Hamilton NeilLate 1920s Draughtsman 
Item 5 of 6Allied Suppliers (Scotland) Ltd, Architect's Departmentc. 1932Late 1933 Initial role unknown
Item 6 of 6Allied Suppliers (Scotland) Ltd, Architect's DepartmentLate 19331968Chief Architect 

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 11962St David's UF Church Hall and OfficesKirkintilloch DunbartonshireScotlandE extension

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Gifford, John and Walker, Frank Arneil2002Stirling and Central Scotland (The Buildings of Scotland) New Haven and London: Yale University Pressp569
Item 2 of 4RIBA1965The RIBA Kalendar   
Item 3 of 4RIBA1979Directory of members   
Item 4 of 4RIBA1984RIBA Directory of members   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2RIAS Quarterly1933AutumnRoyal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) 
Item 2 of 2RIBA JournalApril 1985 London: Royal Institute of British Architectsp105: obituary

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 3National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS Architects Index Obituary
Item 3 of 3RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination Papers A no4870 (combined box 41)