Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Anderson
Designation:  
Born: 1795
Died: 1861
Bio Notes: James Anderson was born in 1795 in Edinburgh. He practised as a land surveyor, engineer and architect in the city. In 1825 he was admitted a burgess of Edinburgh and was described as 'engineer and architect' at that date. He also appeared as a 'civil engineer and architect' in Post Office directories. Both home and business seem to have been 2 Shandwick Place from the 1820s until the 1850s. He moved house to 10 Clarence Street in the early 1850s. His office (and possibly his house) was at 29 St Bernard's Crescent later in the 1850s.

Anderson is probably the James Anderson who drew up plans of the estate of Glenkingie, Kilmallie in 1825 because of a boundary dispute between neighbours. In 1835 he drew up a report about the ferry crossing over the Firth of Forth. This was presumably in the wake of his proposal to erect a bridge over the Firth.

In the 1858-9 Post Office directory besides his work as civil engineer and architect he was noted as chief agent and secretary for Edinburgh and the North of Scotland for the 'Times' Life, Fire, Accidental Death Guarantee & Plate Glass Co; and the chief agent for the National Manure Company of Scotland'. He was also a director of the Dundee and Perth Railway.

Anderson married twice, first to Margaret Walker in 1819 (she died in 1838) and second to Ann. He had at least three daughters. He died in 1861.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 590, Princes Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business1818 *  
Item 2 of 52, Shandwick Place, Edinburgh, ScotlandBusinessc. 1825Late 1840s 
Item 3 of 529, St Bernard's Crescent, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate/business(?)1850s  
Item 4 of 514, Clarence Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1850c. 1851 
Item 5 of 510, Clarence Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1851 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.


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 41818Suspension Bridge over the Forth at Queensferry  West LothianScotlandProposal for a wrought iron suspension bridge
Item 2 of 41824Hotel, Princes Street  EdinburghScotlandConversion of ground floor to shops
Item 3 of 41826St Andrews Place UP ChurchLeith EdinburghScotlandSubmitted design for the church
Item 4 of 41834Leith HarbourLeith EdinburghScotlandDrew up report on Leith Harbour.

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 2Post Office Directories     

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 4Dundee Perth and Cupar Advertiser12 March 1850   
Item 2 of 4Fife Herald30 November 1837  Anderson's report quoted in a letter.
Item 3 of 4Fife Herald15 November 1838   
Item 4 of 4Fife Herald4 October 1848   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 2Census records onlineCensuses  
Item 2 of 2National Archives of Scotland (formerly SRO)Register House PlansRHP 3061/1-2; 22811