Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Jerdan | Designation: | | Born: | 21 May 1839 | Died: | 16 November 1913 | Bio Notes: | James Jerdan was born at Greenlees Farm near Yetholm on 21 May 1839, the son of a tenant farmer, Robert Jerdan, and Helen Brunton. He was apprenticed as a joiner and was described as a journeyman joiner when he married nineteen-year-old Helen Watson, a Melrose-born power-loom weaver, in Galashiels in 1868.
Around 1875 he joined Wardrop & Reid in Edinburgh, probably as a clerk-of-works. Around 1885 he set up practice on his own account at 74 George Street with the gift of office equipment surplus to requirements following the merger of the Wardrop & Reid practice with Rowand Anderson's. Soon afterward Jerdan moved office to 12 Castle Street, where the practice remained for the rest of its existence.
The Jerdans first lived in Tynecastle, later moving to Dundee Street which was listed as their address in the census of 1901, and finally to 5 Craiglockhart Terrace shortly thereafter. They had nine children. The eldest son, Robert, became a chartered surveyor in North Castle Street and did the survey work for the practice. Thomas, born 1873, died at the age of twenty. John, born 1875, and James Watson, born 1882, became architects. The fifth and youngest son, George L, born c.1884, was listed as a joiner in the 1901 census, and seems to have been briefly in the family office, but emigrated to Australia before the First World War to join his brothers-in-law in their building contractors' business. The daughters were Janet (born c.1870), Elizabeth S (born c.1880 and working as a photographer's assistant in 1901) and Jane (born 15 and listed in 1901 as a typist).
Of the two architect sons, John was the more gifted and continued the practice. He was educated at the Edinburgh Institution and articled to his father. During that period he attended the classes at Heriot-Watt - where his father taught architecture and building construction - and won the free-hand drawing medal during the 1892-3 session: he also attended the Trustees classes at the Royal Scottish Academy.
In 1897 John made a study tour of France, and in 1899 another of Britain. In that year he obtained a place in the office of Aston Webb, where he met Ralph Knott. They became close friends, attending the drawing classes at the Slade together. A partnership was planned but abandoned in 1903 or 1904, as James Jerdan was by then suffering from diabetes and John had to return home to take over the business, which does not seem to have had enough work to support three partners. James Junior (who hyphenated his name as James Watson-Jerdan) obtained a post with Fife County Council in Kirkcaldy and set up a separate practice just before the First World War at Ivy College, Barnes, London, moving later to Croydon, where he died in 1932. The elder Jerdans retired to Warden House, Coldingham, where Helen died in 1909. James died in Edinburgh on 16 November 1913. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Tynecastle, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1885 | | | ![Item 2 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 74, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1885 | c. 1892 | | ![Item 3 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 19, Dundee Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1887 | c. 1901 | In 1887 business and home and thereafter home. | ![Item 4 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 29, Frederick Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1888 | | | ![Item 5 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 12, Castle Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | Late 1880s | c. 1940 | | ![Item 6 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Warden House, Coldingham, Berwickshire, Scotland | Private | c. 1902 | 1913 | | ![Item 7 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 5, Craiglockhart Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | Early 1900s | 1913 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Wardrop & Reid | 1875 | c. 1885 | Clerk of Works | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | James Jerdan & Son | 1903 or 1904 | Before 1909 | Partner | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | John Jerdan | 1893 | 1898 | Apprentice | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | George Angus Sutherland | 19 February 1900 | 1904 | Apprentice | |
RIBARIBA ProposalsThis proposed the following individuals for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | George Angus Sutherland | 20 March 1911 | for Licentiateship |
Buildings and DesignsThis 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 | ![Item 1 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1881 | 89 Marchmont Crescent | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 2 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1881 | Tenements, 37-39 Marchmont Crescent | Marchmont | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 3 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | Double Villa | Corstorphine | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 4 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | St James' Episcopal Church | Goldenacre | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Acted as Clerk of Works | ![Item 5 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Tenement and shop, Grassmarket | Old Town | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion to lodging house | ![Item 6 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Whitehorse Close (Bishop Paterson's House) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration as working class housing | ![Item 7 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Bathgate Manse | Bathgate | | West Lothian | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 8 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Benreoch House | Arrochar? | | Dunbartonshire? | Scotland | Alterations and new stair | ![Item 9 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Blackshiels farm buildings | Pathhead | | Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 10 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Kirkwood Villa | Peebles | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Loanhead Farm buildings | Loanhead | | Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Newtonloan Fever Hospital | Cockpen | | Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 13 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | 3-7 James Court | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Original drawings by J Jordan, 13 Castle Street, of reconstruction of Nos 3-7, for the Edinburgh Social Union (Patrick Geddes, etc) in the Dean of Guild records, City Chambers, 1891 | ![Item 14 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Bathgate Academy, Chemistry Laboratory | Bathgate | | West Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 15 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Currie & Co's offices | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 16 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | East Linton Parish Church | East Linton | | East Lothian | Scotland | Recasting of Georgian church | ![Item 17 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Linburn House and other buildings on site | Wilkieston | | Midlothian | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 18 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Lochgelly feuing | Lochgelly | | Fife | Scotland | | ![Item 19 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Monument at McFie's grave | Gogarburn | | West Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 20 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Newtonloan Fever Hospital | Cockpen | | Midlothian | Scotland | Alterations and new smallpox ward | ![Item 21 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Sauchenside Cottages | Sauchenside | | Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 22 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Surgeons' Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations to principal stair and new stair | ![Item 23 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Tillicoultry House | Tillicoultry | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 24 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Caledonia Mills | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Gogarburn House | | | Midlothian | Scotland | Boudoir added | ![Item 26 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Sheriff Court | Duns | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 27 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Stenton Parish Church | Stenton | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations and re-seating | ![Item 28 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Tenements | Galashiels | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | 72 George Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 30 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Abbey Park Cottage | Coldingham | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | ![Item 31 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Children's Shelter | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Clarence Lodging House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 33 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Edinburgh and District Water Trust Offices | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Guthrie Street Lodging House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 35 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Cockenzie Hall | Cockenzie | | East Lothian | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 36 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Police Station | Duns | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | ![Item 37 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | 50 Frederick Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 38 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Hall at Drem | | | East Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 39 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | House for Henry Steel | Coldingham | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Designs only - not built | ![Item 40 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Mission Hall | Tranent | | East Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 41 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Murano Place Woollen Mills | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 42 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Temple Hall | Coldingham | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Including stable offices | ![Item 43 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Gogarburn House | | | Midlothian | Scotland | Other additions | ![Item 44 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Prestonkirk Parish Church | East Linton | | East Lothian | Scotland | Reredos and interior refurbishment | ![Item 45 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Buglass Cottage | Coldingham | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Houses, Blackfriars Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 47 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Houses, Dean Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Probably alterations | ![Item 48 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Houses, Drumdryan Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Probably alterations | ![Item 49 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Villa, 66 Polwarth Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 50 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Villas, 76-78 Polwarth Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 51 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | 30 and 31 Queen Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New premises at rear | ![Item 52 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Children's Home | Corstorphine | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 53 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Kirkliston Parish Church | Kirkliston | | West Lothian | Scotland | Alterations to church and hall | ![Item 54 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Office and tenement, Grove Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations to no 72 | ![Item 55 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Waverley Court | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 56 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | 7 Ainslie Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 57 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Border Mansion | | | | Scotland | | ![Item 58 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | St Giles Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 59 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | David Chalmers Memorial Hall | Slateford | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 60 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Warden House | Coldingham | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | ![Item 61 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Winchburgh School | Winchburgh | | West Lothian | Scotland | Substantial extension | ![Item 62 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Kirna | Walkerburn | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 63 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Braidwood House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 64 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Donaldson & Co Motor Car Works | Gorgie | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 65 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | House for Professor F G Bailey | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 66 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Ardlaggan | New Galloway | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | | ![Item 67 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Balnowart | Ballantrae | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 68 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | Monkwood | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 69 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | Newbury | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 70 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Davaar | Earlsferry | | Fife | Scotland | | ![Item 71 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Villa, 7 Spylaw Park | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 72 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Winchburgh School | Winchburgh | | West Lothian | Scotland | Senior school addition to NW | ![Item 73 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | 30 Gillespie Road | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 74 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Athelstaneford | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 75 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | House for J MacLeod | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 76 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | House for James Milne | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 77 of 77](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Chisholme House | | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Additions and reconstruction |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Adam, Shona | 1991 | James Jerdan & Son, Architects, Memoir by Shona Adam, Granddaughter of John Jerdan | | Exhibition Catalogue, RIAS Gallery, January-February 1991 | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 21 November 1913 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | Shona Adam, Granddaughter of John Jerdan | James Jerdan & Son Office Ledger | | |
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