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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Biographic Details
Name:
James Burn
Designation :
Architect - Builder
Date of Birth:
Year Only
Exact DOB:
04/03/1926
Year of Birth :
1748
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:
27/01/1816
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 Burn was born at Yester, East Lothian in 1748, the elder brother of George Burn, architect. He was a wright by trade and was known as ‘Old Timmer’. His business as both architect and builder was conducted in Haddington where he became a burgess in July 1777. He bought Kinloch House in Market Street in 1784 where he established his yard. He built a number of houses in Haddington and the rest of East Lothian which were described in 1883 as ‘excellent family houses…among which may be mentioned Mr Roughead’s and the late Mr Banks’ house in High Street; Mr Todrick’s in Hardgate; as also the Hopes' House and Newbyth House’.
In the first decade of the 19th century Burn obtained various commissions in Aberdeen, including the Aberdeen Bank in Castle Street. The Bank was one of the first buildings of dressed granite in the city with Doric pilasters. The Bridewell was designed in a simple castellated style.
Burn was joint contractor with his brother for the Spey Bridge at Fochabers and other bridges including two at Dunglass, East Lothian, and Inverbervie, Kincardineshire with single arches of wide span over steep-sided valleys and three with timber arches which Telford rated highly: Image Bridge in the grounds of Brechin Castle, The Bridge of Din at Dyce, and Grandholm Bridge, Aberdeenshire.
Burn died on 27 January 1816. His business was reputedly carried on by a relative, ‘ Mr Hay Walker’.
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Business Addresses
Business Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From
Date From Type
Date To
Date To Type
Notes
Kinloch House Haddington East Lothian Scotland
Business
1794
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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
Mr Roughead's House
1770s
Haddington
East Lothian
Scotland
House for Mr Todrick
1770s
Haddington
East Lothian
Scotland
House for Mr Banks
1770s
Haddington
East Lothian
Scotland
Caponflat
In year 1797
Haddington (near)
East Lothian
Scotland
Bridge at Inverbervie
In year 1797
Inverbervie
Kincardineshire
Scotland
With his brother
Dunglass Bridge
In year 1797
East Lothian
Scotland
Spey Bridge
In year 1801
Fochabers
Morayshire
Scotland
Joint contractor with his brother
Union Bank
In year 1801
Aberdeen
Scotland
Bridge of Don
In year 1803
Dyce
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
The Fleshmarket
In year 1804
Haddington
East Lothian
Scotland
Union Street and King Street and Union Bridge
In year 1805
Aberdeen
Scotland
Plan for symmetrical terraces ,stretching from North Street to Castle Street. Responsible for balustraded parapet (\'gave the bridge its distinctive appearance\') of bridge. Scheme known from outline drawing by the engineer Thomas Fletcher.
Brechin Castle and gate lodge
In year 1807
Brechin
Angus
Scotland
Image Bridge over the South Esk River
Bridewell
In year 1809
Aberdeen
Scotland
St Mary's Church
In year 1810
Haddington
East Lothian
Scotland
Plans drawn up for alterating and refitting interior of the church. Carried out to a modified design.
Newbyth House
In year 1817
East Linton
East Lothian
Scotland
Rebuilding of house to designs by Archibald Elliot.
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References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this person:
Bib ref classic
Author
Title
Date
Publisher
Part
Notes
Colvin, H M
A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840
1995
New Haven and London: Yale University Press
3rd edition
Martine, John
Reminiscenses of the Royal Burgh of Haddington
1883
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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
SC Archives (Sc)
NAS
201447
SC 70/1/15
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