Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert Burn
Designation: Architect, Mason
Born: 1752
Died: 5 June 1815
Bio Notes: Robert Burn was born in 1752 probably at Jessfield, Portobello. He was a mason by trade. The earliest reference to him found so far is in 1775 when he was acting as overseer of the masonry of St Cuthbert’s Church, Edinburgh. The church was being completed by the contractor James Weir.

On 4 April 1782 he was admitted a burgess of Edinburgh. In 1796 he was a member of the Dean of Guild Council in Edinburgh. Compared to some of his contempraries his name appears frequently in newspapers. Part of his business seems to have been acting as an agent for letting out houses. He was also the owner of an estate called Jessfield in North Leith.

Robert Burn was the father of the better known William Burn who was one of sixteen children. The older Burn died on 5 June 1815 and was buried in Calton Cemetery in a Gothic burial place erected by his wife and children in 1816.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this architect, mason:
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Rose Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1787  
Item 2 of 2Leith Walk, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1800  

Buildings and Designs

This architect, mason 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 251776Public Dispensary  EdinburghScotland 
Item 2 of 251782Cairness House  AberdeenshireScotlandWith Adam Porter. Burn responsible for layout of walled garden.
Item 3 of 251785Houses, Nicolson Street  EdinburghScotlandPlan for houses drawn up
Item 4 of 25c. 1785Hermitage of BraidMorningside EdinburghScotland 
Item 5 of 251790Houses, 141-171 Leith Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 6 of 251791Netherurd House  PeeblesshireScotlandBurn and James McLeran both described as 'architects' in a building contract and in the case of any dispute, Burn to act as arbitrator.
Item 7 of 25c. 1791Teviot BankHawick RoxburghshireScotland 
Item 8 of 25c. 1795Orbieston HouseBellshill LanarkshireScotland 
Item 9 of 251796St Giles Cathedral  EdinburghScotlandAlterations - mason work
Item 10 of 251799Cairnfield HouseBuckie BanffshireScotland 
Item 11 of 251800Gordon CastleFochabers MorayshireScotlandLakeside House - probably by Robert Burn who was building a similar pavilion and teahouse at Cairnfield.
Item 12 of 251800James Gillespie's School  EdinburghScotland 
Item 13 of 251801Feuing plan of stances for villas, leith LinksLeith EdinburghScotland 
Item 14 of 251803Aberdour ManseAberdour FifeScotland 
Item 15 of 251803Royal Bank of Scotland building  EdinburghScotlandDesigns for new entrance etc
Item 16 of 251803Saltoun Hall  East LothianScotlandProposed alterations
Item 17 of 251804Leith Grammar SchoolLeith EdinburghScotland 
Item 18 of 251804Saltoun ManseEast Saltoun East LothianScotlandCourt of offices
Item 19 of 25c. 1804Houses, Picardy Place, Union Street, Forth Street  EdinburghScotland 
Item 20 of 251806InvermayForteviot (near) PerthshireScotlandAlterations
Item 21 of 251806Layout of Castle Street and George StreetDumfries DumfriesshireScotland 
Item 22 of 251807Nelson Monument  EdinburghScotland 
Item 23 of 251809House belonging to the New Club  EdinburghScotlandProbably responsible for design or alterations - calling for contractors for painting wotrk
Item 24 of 25c. 1810Grandholm Bridge  AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 25 of 251812Lancastrian School  EdinburghScotland 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this architect, mason:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 2Scottish Record Society1933Roll of Edinburgh Burgesses  p28

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this architect, mason:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Gentleman's Magazine1815i p647
Item 2 of 2Scots Magazine1815  p559

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this architect, mason:
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS Photographic Archive Photo of portrait