Basic Biographical Details Name: | Brown & Watt | Designation: | | Born: | 1891 | Died: | 1928 or 1929 | Bio Notes: | Alexander Brown was born in Aberdeen in 1853, the son of a shoemaker and became a Burgess of Trade at the age of twenty in September 1873. It is not clear to whom he was articled, if indeed to anyone, but by Christmas Eve 1880, the date of his marriage, he was described as an 'architectural surveyor' with Matthews & Mackenzie. Shortly thereafter, Brown set up practice on his own account at 7 Belmont Street. Thomas Watson and others who remembered him described him as more chartered surveyor, quantity surveyor and valuer than architect, and his early practice consisted solely of housing of a mundane kind.
Nevertheless Brown had ambitions for his practice. In 1887 he took as assistant George Watt. George Watt was born in 1865, the son of William Watt, senior partner in the firm of G Fordyce & Co, Builders, Aberdeen. He was articled in 1879 to Matthews & Mackenzie where he worked alongside Brown. He remained with them for a year as an assistant before obtaining a place in the office of Campbell Douglas & Sellars in 1885-87, where he worked closely with Sellars and Keppie and absorbed their style. He returned to Aberdeen in 1887 as assistant to Alexander Brown with a view to taking Brown's firm more upmarket. Early in his career he was entrusted with additions and alterations at Crathes and in 1889 he won the local competition for Aberdeen Public Library with a Sellars-inspired design, Matthews and Mackenzie coming second and Pirie & Clyne third, his contribution being recognised with a partnership in 1891.
By 1893 Brown was sufficiently confident of the future of the practice to build himself a sizable villa at 10 Fountainhall Road, the practice having already moved to more prestigious premises at 17 Union Terrace. Watt was responsible for nearly all the design work thereafter. His style remained strongly influenced by that of Sellars, most notably at the spire of his Beechgrove Church which was modelled on Sellars' unbuilt scheme for Anderston Church in Glasgow.
Although very much the business partner of the practice Brown's name appears among those who petitioned against the destruction of Greyfriars Church in 1896 and in 1897-98 was one of the founders of Aberdeen Society of Architects. He died of a seizure in a tramcar when returning to his home at 101 Fountainhall Road for lunch on 22 April 1925, by which date the practice appears to have been at a low ebb in terms of actual building. He left the substantial moveable estate of £8,561 13s 7d and was survived by his ailing widow, his son Dr A Middleton Brown (d.1959) of Hereford and two daughters, Margaret who worked in the University Library and Emily, a teacher in Elgin who made a late marriage to the Rev Angus Mackay of Whalsay in 1928 but died in the following year.
Brown never sought membership of the RIBA but Watt was admitted FRIBA on 4 March 1907, his proposers being Robert Gordon Wilson, Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon and Arthur Clyne. Watt retired in or about 1928: he died suddenly on 18 December 1931 at Bieldside House, a single storey and basement late Georgian villa which he had remodelled for his own occupation in 1903. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | 7, Belmont street, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | c. 1880 | | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | 17, Union Terrace, Aberdeen, Scotland | Business | 1891 | After 1907 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils
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 148](images/table_item.gif) | | Aberdeen Ice Factory | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Date unknown | ![Item 2 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | | School | Rhynie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Date unknown | ![Item 3 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | | School at Dyce | Dyce | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Date unknown | ![Item 4 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Central Public Library | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Competition won by Alexander Brown and job completed in partnership | ![Item 5 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Springbank Cemetery Lodge | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 6 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Three cottages, Holburn Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 7 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | House, Poynernook | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 8 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | House, Queen's Road West | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 9 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Old Machar Poorhouse | Old Machar | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Hospital buildings | ![Item 10 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Store, Market Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Two cottages, Blanheim Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | George Street Baptist Church | Gilcomston Park | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 13 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Holburn Free Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 14 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | House and shops, Huntly Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 15 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | House, Fountainhall Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 16 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | House, Menzies Road | Torry | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 17 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | House, Mount Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 18 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | House, Summer Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 19 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Shops and hall, Windmill Brae | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 20 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Trinity Hall | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Addition | ![Item 21 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Two houses, Gladstone Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 22 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Two houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 23 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Two houses, Mile End Avenue | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 24 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Four houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | House and shop, Rose Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 26 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | House, Beaconsfield Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 27 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | House, Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 28 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | House, Hamilton Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | House, Roslin Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 30 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | House, Stanley Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 31 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Two houses, Clifton Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Two houses, Fonthill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 33 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Two houses, Holburn Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Atholl Hotel | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Addition | ![Item 35 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Four houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 36 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Peterculter Church | Peterculter | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Central south projection and T-plan north aisle | ![Item 37 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Saltoun Arms Public House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 38 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Sandeman Public Library | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Competition design - placed equal second | ![Item 39 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Two houses, Western Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 40 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1895 | James Fleming Monument, Aberlour Churchyard | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | | ![Item 41 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | 33-35 Miller Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 42 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Aberlour Primary School | Aberlour | | Banffshire | Scotland | | ![Item 43 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Beechwood House | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 44 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Crathes Castle | Crathes | | Aberdeenshire/Kincardineshire | Scotland | Large family wing added, gallery restored | ![Item 45 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Four cottages, Belvidere Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Four houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 47 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Gilcomston Mills | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 48 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | House, Broomhill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 49 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | House, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 50 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Hutcheon Street and Fraser Road corner | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 51 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Primary School | Craigellachie | | Banffshire | Scotland | | ![Item 52 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Six houses, Rosebery Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 53 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Two cottages, Mile End Avenue | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 54 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | 33 Albyn Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 55 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Beechgrove Free Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Won competition and secured job | ![Item 56 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Eight houses, Carlton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 57 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Great Northern Road School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 58 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Her Majesty's Theatre | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Supervised reconstruction of interior for Frank Matcham | ![Item 59 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | House, Beechgrove Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 60 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | House, Redgrove Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 61 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | House, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 62 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Houses and shops, Rosemount Viaduct | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 63 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Kittybrewster Primary School | Kittybrewster | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | ![Item 64 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Kittybrewster Public School | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 65 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Mercantile Marine Offices | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 66 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Mission Hall for Belmont Street Congregational Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 67 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Property, Chapel Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 68 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Property, Huntly Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 69 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Six houses, Hamilton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 70 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Two houses, Belvidere Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 71 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Two houses, Gray Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 72 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Aberdeen Steam Trawling Company | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 73 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Five houses, Thomson Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 74 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Four houses, Seaforth Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 75 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Grantown Free Church | Grantown-on-Spey | | Morayshire | Scotland | | ![Item 76 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | House | Bridge of Balgonie | | Fife | Scotland | | ![Item 77 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | House, Fraser Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 78 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | School | Raemoir | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | ![Item 79 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Six houses, Carlton Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 80 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Three houses, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 81 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Two houses with shops, Belvidere Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 82 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Two houses, Bedford Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 83 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Two houses, St Andrew Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 84 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Central Bakery | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 85 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Drapery warehouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 86 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | House and shop, Skene Square | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 87 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Four houses, Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 88 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Ingleside, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 89 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Lewis Shaw's premises, Forest Avenue | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 90 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Northern Co-operative Buldings | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 91 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Oldmill Poorhouse | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 92 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Ruthrieston UF Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 93 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Villa, 66 Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 94 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Villa, Rubislaw Den South | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 95 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Whinhill, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 96 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1900 | Glenrinnes | Dufftown | | Banffshire | Scotland | HS attribution | ![Item 97 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Butchers Arms public house | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 98 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Forsyth Hotel | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations? New build? | ![Item 99 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Four houses, Bedford Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 100 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Kincardine County Hospital | Stonehaven | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Won competition to secure job. | ![Item 101 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Melville UF Church | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 102 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Premises, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 103 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Public School | Balmedie | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 104 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Torphins UF Church | Torphins | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 105 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1901 | Bon Accord Bar | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 106 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Branch Library | Torry | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 107 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Central Public Library | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Plans for new wing and reading room drawn up | ![Item 108 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | House, Bon Accord Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 109 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | House, Braemar Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 110 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 111 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 112 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 113 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | House, Fonthill Terrace | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 114 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Premises for Great Grimsby Company | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 115 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Two houses, Alburg Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 116 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Two houses, Cornhill Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 117 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Two houses, Richmondhill Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 118 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Five houses, Bedford Place | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 119 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Four houses, Hutcheon Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 120 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Grantown Grammar School | Grantown-on-Spey | | Morayshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 121 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | House and stables, Central Carriage Hiring Establishment | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 122 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Parish Manse | Kirkton of Glenbuchat | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 123 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Six houses, Forest Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 124 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Three houses, Albury Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 125 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Two houses, Albury Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 126 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Two houses, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 127 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | His Majesty's Theatre | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Supervised construction for Frank Matcham | ![Item 128 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | School | New Deer | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | ![Item 129 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Two houses, Abergeldie Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 130 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Two houses, Abergeldie Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 131 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Two houses, Fraser Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 132 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | House and shops, George Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 133 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | House, King Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 134 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Two houses, Holburn Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 135 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | Nigg Parish Church Hall | Nigg | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | | ![Item 136 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Oldmill Poorhouse, Nurses' Home | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 137 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Burnett Arms Hotel | Banchory | | Kincardineshire | Scotland | Wing to right added - perhaps by Brown & Watt | ![Item 138 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Aberdeen Provincial Committee Training College | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Competition design | ![Item 139 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Her Majesty’s Theatre | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 140 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | North Eastern Ice Company, Commercial Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 141 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Northern Co-operative Memorial Fountain | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 142 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Premises 57-59 St Nicholas Street | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 143 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Preserved Provisions Factory, North Esplanade | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | | ![Item 144 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Scots Church | | | Rawalpindi | India | Design made - execution suprvised by engineers of the Military Works Department | ![Item 145 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | Craigellie House | Alyth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Rebuilding (modelled on Craigellie house, Aberdeenshire, by John Smith) | ![Item 146 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1924 | Ballyrashane War Memorial Tower | Coleraine | | Derry | Northern Ireland | | ![Item 147 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1924 | Villa, 84 Queen's Road | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | Remodelling | ![Item 148 of 148](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | Shop, Hardgate | | | Aberdeen | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | Johnston, W T | 2003 | Artists of Scotland | | Officina Publications CDROM | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Album of newscuttings on the work of Alexander Brown of Brown and Watt | | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS | Brown and Watt Scrapbook | | |
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