Basic Biographical Details | Name: | John Simpson | | Designation: | | | Born: | 1755 | | Died: | 16 June 1815 | | Bio Notes: | John Simpson was born in 1755 at Stenhouse, Midlothian (now in Edinburgh) and probably trained as a mason. He was employed by Thomas Telford who described him as ‘a treasure of talents and integrity’. He was responsible for a series of bridges in Scotland, and at Bewdley, Worcestershire and aqueducts in Chirk and Pont-y-Cysyllte in Wales. He also built the locks and basins on the Caledonian Canal.
In due course Simpson moved to Shrewsbury where he supervised the construction of New St Chad’s Church, the designs for which having been provided by George Steuart 1790-92.
Simpson was mainly a builder and clerk of works but he was sometimes described as an architect. He may be the architect who drew up a report on the condition of the bridge of Banff in 1808. He may be the ‘Sympson’ who designed the Town Hall at Bewdley in that same year, according to the antiquary Thomas Prattinton.
Simpson died in Shrewsbury on 16 June 1815. He is commemorated by a monument of New St Chad’s with a bust designed by Francis Chantrey. His business was continued by his nephew, John Straphen who designed Nelson’s Column.
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Buildings and Designs| This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | | Bridge | Craigellachie | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1790 | Bridge | Bonar | | Sutherland | Scotland | | | 1806 | Dunkeld Bridge Over River Tay | Dunkeld | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | 1808 | Bridge over the Deveron | Banff | | Banffshire | Scotland | Drew up report on the condition of the bridge. |
ReferencesBibliographic References| The following books contain references to this : | | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Colvin, Howard | 2008 | A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 | | London: YUP. 4th edition | | | Hulbert, C | 1852 | Memoirs | | Shrewsbury | p191 | | Institution of Civil Engineers | 2002 | Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers | | V.1 and 2 | |
Periodical References| The following periodicals contain references to this : | | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Gentleman's Magazine | 1815 | i | | p572 | | Gentleman's Magazine | 1820 | ii | | p303 |
Archive References| The following archives hold material relating to this : | | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Society of Antiquaries of London | Archive | Prattinton Coll. v, 25/5 | Drawings inscribed 'Sympson architect' |
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