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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Biographic Details
Name:
James Douglas Nairn
Designation :
Architect
Date of Birth:
Exact Date
Exact DOB:
28/05/1906
Year of Birth :
Circa Year of Birth :
Date of Birth Before (Year):
Date of Birth After (Year):
DOB (1st 'Or' Year):
DOB (2nd 'Or' Year):
Date of Death:
Exact Date
Exact DOD:
17/04/1997
Year of Death:
Circa Year of Death:
Date of Death Before (Year):
Date of Death After (Year):
DOD (1st 'Or' Year):
DOD (2nd 'Or' Year):
Town of Birth :
Bio Notes :
James Douglas Nairn was born on 28 May 1906, the son of James Nairn cabinet maker and his wife Catherine Oglivie. He was articled to Carver & Symon of Arbroath in October 1923. He commenced his studies at Dundee Technical College the following year, and was an assistant teacher of building construction there from September 1928. He remained with Carver & Symon briefly as improver after completing his apprenticeship, moving to Perth to join the firm of GPK Young & Son as assistant in February 1929. He was still there when he was admitted LRIBA on 9 February 1937, proposed by Charles Geddes Soutar and the then president and secretary of the Dundee Institute of Architects.
Nairn was still living at Craigmore, Carnoustie in 1939-40.
In 1947 Nairn was assumed into partnership in the Thoms & Wilkie practice the senior partner then being Patrick Hill Thoms. He later became a partner along with Thomas Hill Thoms. In 1953 he was elected FRIAS.
He retired in 1975. He was FRIAS. He died of congestive heart failure at Stracathro Hospital on 17 April 1997, survived by his wife Helen Forrester Campbell and his son Douglas, recently retired from his post as Principal Architect, Ross & Cromarty area, Highland Council, and his son Campbell, Clubmaster of Cochrane Castle Golf Club.
'Biography authored by the Dictionary of Scottish Architects Compilation Team.'
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Private Addresses
Private Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From Char
Date From Type
Date To Char
Date To Type
Notes
Craigmore Philip Street Carnoustie Angus Scotland
Private
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Employment and Training
The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this person (click on an item to view details):
Employers2 classic
Name
Name Link
Date From
Date To
Position
Notes
Carver & Symon
200079
1923/10
1928/10
Apprentice
Carver & Symon
200079
1928/10
1929/01
Improver
G P K Young & Son
204618
In year 1929
After 1936
Assistant
Thoms & Wilkie
202758
In year 1947
In year 1975
Partner
row(s) 1 - 4 of 4
RIBA Proposers
The following individuals proposed this person for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details):
RIBA PROPOSERS2 classic
Proposer
Proposer Link
Date Proposed
Notes
Charles Geddes Soutar
202372
1937/02/09
for Licentiateship
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Buildings and Designs
This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
Buildings and Designs2 classic
Building Name
Date Started
Town, District or Village
Island
City or County
Country
Notes
Dundee High School
In year 1957
Dundee
Scotland
Interior remodelling. Per Builder p654
Camperdown Church and Hall
In year 1959
Dundee
Scotland
Dundee High School, gymnasium block
In year 1969
Dundee
Scotland
Brick extension to W
Chalmers Ardler Church
Late 1960s
Ardler
Dundee
Scotland
Dundee College Gardyne Road Campus
In year 1972
Broughty Ferry
Angus
Scotland
St Andrew's Church
In year 1973
Dundee
Halls joined to church at E
Dundee College of Education
Early 1970s
West Ferry
Dundee
Scotland
University of Dundee, Chemistry, Sports and Botanical Buildings
Early 1970s
Dundee
Scotland
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References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this person:
Bib ref classic
Author
Title
Date
Publisher
Part
Notes
Bailey, Rebecca M
Scottish architects' papers: a source book
1996
Edinburgh: The Rutland Press
p90
RIBA
The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951
1950
London: Royal Institute of British Architects
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Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this person:
Period ref classic
Periodical Name
Publisher
Date Circ
Edition
Notes
RIAS Newsletter
1997/11
v8, no9
Death note
row(s) 1 - 1 of 1
Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this person:
Arc ref classic
Archive Name
Source
Source Cat No
Building Id
Item Name
Notes
RIBA Nomination Papers
RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum
100005
L no4584 (combined box 23)
Death Register
H M Register House
100027
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