Basic Biographical Details Name: | Henry ('Harry') Ramsay Taylor | Designation: | | Born: | 1863 or 1864 | Died: | 14 November 1922 | Bio Notes: | Harry (although actually Henry he was always known as Harry) Ramsay Taylor was born in Stranraer in 1863 or 1864, the son of Samuel Henry Taylor, an architect in practice there. He was educated at Stranraer but completed his schooling at Glasgow Academy and was in his father's office from 1878 until March 1880 when he transferred to the Lessels practice in Edinburgh. He completed his apprenticeship under John Lessels & Son and remained as assistant to James Lessels thereafter, quickly rising to be 'head of the office'. During that period he attended the School of Art, Heriot-Watt College and the University of Edinburgh and travelled in Belgium, England and Scotland.
In 1890 James Lessels took Taylor into partnership, the firm of Lessels & Taylor continuing to occupy the existing Lessels office at 50 George Street. Shortly thereafter Taylor visited Italy to make a study of Venetian architecture.
After James Lessels died, Taylor carried on the business retaining the practice of Lessels & Taylor but about 1905 Taylor merged his practice with that of William Ormiston of Cousin & Ormiston as Cousin, Ormiston & Taylor, moving into Ormiston's office at 140 Princes Street: this event marked a final conclusion to the long-standing links between the Cousin and Lessels practices. Taylor was elected FRIBA on 3 December 1906, his proposers being Harold Ogle Tarbolton, Hippolyte Jean Blanc and Alexander Hunter Crawford.
Taylor had an inventive cast of mind. In 1890-91 he invented and patented a system of locomotive electric bell signalling in fog or darkness which attracted a good deal of interest but was not adopted. In 1913 he introduced a cheap-to-produce patent roof-light and during the First World War he devised a neat folding periscope which was sold commercially for parents to send to sons in front-line trenches.
Taylor died on 14 November 1922. Dr A R B Haldane remembered him as a big man, very good with the Haldane children to whom he was known as 'Woolly Bear' because of his liking for big leather coats with fur collars. Portrait sketches in his news cuttings book show him bearded and rather academic-looking with spectacles. His wife Beatrice Rowina Marriner survived him and appears to have continued his practice for a few years with the aid of his staff to complete work in hand. The practice then closed. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 50, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1880 | c. 1905 | | ![Item 2 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 1, Torphichen Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1893 | 1895 | | ![Item 3 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 9, Upper Gilmore Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1897 | 1915 | | ![Item 4 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 140, Princes Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1905 | 1922 | | ![Item 5 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 21, Blacket Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1919 | 1922 | His widow continued to live there until late 1920s |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees 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 1](images/table_item.gif) | Thomas Sinclair | c. 1899(?) | Before 1905(?) | Assistant | Probably assisted in this office |
RIBARIBA ProposersRIBA Proposals
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 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1888 | 3-37 Jeffrey Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Initially as assistant to Lessels, latterly as partner | ![Item 2 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Grassmarket Mission Hall | Old Town | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 3 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | Craigpark | Ratho | | Midlothian | Scotland | Alterations and additions | ![Item 4 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | Fosswell | Auchterarder | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions | ![Item 5 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | Hawkshaw | | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | | ![Item 6 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | Parsonage | Haddington | | East Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 7 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | Printing Works for Ballantyne, Hanson & Co | | | | | Additions | ![Item 8 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | St Leonard's Works | Parkside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 9 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | Stonefield House and estate | | | Argyll | Scotland | Alterations and additions | ![Item 10 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1890 | The Lodge | Ratho | | Midlothian | Scotland | Alterations and additions | ![Item 11 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Design for Free Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design exhibited - perhaps 1887 competition design for Edinburgh Central Library | ![Item 12 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Tenement, 4-18 Jeffrey Street and 3-9 Cranston Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 13 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1893 | Nelson Hall and West Branch Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 14 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Boroughloch Brewery | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 15 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Warehouse for John Crabbie & Co | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Front warehouse | ![Item 16 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Nelson Hall | Stockbridge | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 17 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Biscuit Factory, Slateford Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 18 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Falkirk Public Library | Falkirk | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Second premiated competition design (£25 premium) | ![Item 19 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Penicuik House stables | Penicuik | | Midlothian | Scotland | Conversion of stables to new house | ![Item 20 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Nelson Hall and Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 21 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Stirling Public Library | Stirling | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Won in competition | ![Item 22 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Carnegie Public Library | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Second premiated competition design | ![Item 23 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | Tenement, south corner of Nicolson Square and Nicolson Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Reconstruction with half-timbered upperworks | ![Item 24 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Bookshop for John Grant, Chambers Street and George IV Bridge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Internal alterations and new building | ![Item 25 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Chambers Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Completion, still conforming to original Cousin-Lessels design | ![Item 26 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Maryhill Public Library | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design by Lessels and Taylor | ![Item 27 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Cloan House | Auchterarder | | Perthshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 28 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1906 | Edinburgh Royal Infirmary | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Nurses' quarters (possibly a conversion of terraced houses on Archibald Place?) and additions | ![Item 29 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1906(?) | Elibank | | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 30 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1906(?) | Glen Etive Lodge | | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 31 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1906(?) | Kemback House | | | Fife | Scotland | Remodelling | ![Item 32 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | After 1906(?) | Sheuchan Parish Church, monument to Rev W M Johnston | Stranraer | | Wigtownshire | Scotland | | ![Item 33 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1906 | Ferro-concrete factory | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1906 | Murdostoun | Newmains | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 35 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1906 | Cowden Castle | Muckart | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions (including picture gallery) | ![Item 36 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Achara | | | Argyll | Scotland | Remodelling of 19th century farmhouse | ![Item 37 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1910 | Geographical Institute | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Incorporating portico of Falcon Hall | ![Item 38 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1910 | Dungavel House | Strathaven | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Enlargement to form permanent ducal seat | ![Item 39 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1911 | Stranraer Parish Church, Memorial to Rev H P Charlton | Stranraer | | Wigtownshire | Scotland | | ![Item 40 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | College of Domestic Science | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion of terrace to College. | ![Item 41 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1912 | Large house near Connell Ferry | Connell Ferry (near) | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 42 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1912 | Hamilton Palace Mausoleum and keeper's lodge | | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Stone repairs, probably arising from mining subsidence | ![Item 43 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | Squash Court, Dean Village | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 44 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1913 | Kames House, also Kames Cottages and estate buildings | | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Reconstruction and additions - perhaps also responsible for cottages etc | ![Item 45 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | House near Taynuilt | | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Nicolson Square Methodist Church , Epworth Halls | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 47 of 47](images/table_item.gif) | 1916 | MacDuff Institute | Birchcraig, near Ballinluig | | Perthshire | Scotland | Conversion and extension of house as home for boys |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | Middle name misspelt 'Ramsey'; original sources confirm, however, that 'Ramsay' is the correct spelling. | ![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) | Scotsman | 7 December 1906 | | | |
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 | Harry Ramsay Taylor's Newsaper Cutting Book (report on Charlton monument has a biography & joblist) | | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | F v18 p29 no1188 (microfilm reel 12) |
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