Basic Biographical Details Name: | James Davidson & Son | Designation: | | Born: | August 1908 | Died: | | Bio Notes: | James Davidson was born in Airdrie in 1848, the son of a weaver. He was educated at Airdrie Academy and initially trained as a joiner. In his teens he moved to Glasgow to attend the classes in the Athenaeum in Ingram Street, and while acting as foreman joiner on Flowerhill Parish Church in 1875 he impressed sufficiently to be made master or works for other Baird Trust church building projects. This enabled him to be articled to Hugh Hough MacLure from 1875 to 1882 when he commenced practice on his own account in Coatbridge, immediately becoming architect to Coatbridge School Board amd a promonent local mason achieving the position of master of St John's Lodge within a very few years. He was elected a councillor in Coatbridge in 1889, became a Baillie, and by 1911 provost.
Davidson was elected FRIBA on 3 December 1906, his proposers being James Milne Monro, Alexander Cullen and Davis Barclay. He was a very competent free Renaissance designer and a specialist in the design and construction of theatres.
Davidson died in April 1923. The practice was continued by his son Alexander, born 1879, who was articled to him and studied at Coatbridge Technical school from 1894 to 1899 and at Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College from 1899 to 1902. He became his father's partner in August 1908 and was elected LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, his proposers being his father, David Bateman Hutton and James Campbell Reid.
The practice name became James Davidson & Partners in the 1940s. In 1949 Alexander Smart Todd was taken into partnership. In 1953 on the death of the practice George Bruce Scotland, the practice J Scotland & Sons which was based in Airdrie was taken over by James Davidson & Son. The office in Airdrie was maintained until 1978. In 1960 Robert Robertson was taken into partnership and Robert William Marwick in 1966. At some point prior to 1957 the name of the practice changed again, this time becoming James Davidson & Son.
| 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) | Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | | | | ![Item 2 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 6, Academy Street, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1908 | 1923 | | ![Item 3 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Savings Bank Buildings, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1924 * | 1926 | | ![Item 4 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 6, Academy Street, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1926 | 1955 | | ![Item 5 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 10, Bank Street, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 5 April 1957 | | per Builder p656 | ![Item 6 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 9, Dunbeth Avenue, Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | Before 1964 | After 1980 | | ![Item 7 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | 14, Bank Street, Airdrie, Lanarkshire, Scotland | Business | 1970 * | After 1980 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployees or Pupils* earliest date known from documented sources.
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 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Annathill Mining Village | Annathill | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 2 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Clydesdale Institute | Mossend | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 3 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Villas and cottages | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 4 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Drill Hall | Rutherglen | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 5 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Drill Hall | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 6 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | Library | Dunblane | | Perthshire | Scotland | | ![Item 7 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | UF Church Hall | Dunblane | | Perthshire | Scotland | | ![Item 8 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1910 | Coatbridge Board School | Whifflet, Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | New block | ![Item 9 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Lanarkshire Coalmasters's Rescue Centre | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 10 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Langloan School | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Sub-Rescue Station | Larbert | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1920 | Coatbridge Savings Bank | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 13 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1924 | 135 East Clyde Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations to offices | ![Item 14 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | 135 East Clyde Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Showrooms and garage | ![Item 15 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1932 | RC Church at Ladyburn | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | ![Item 16 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1936 | Coatbridge Public Baths, swimming pool and clinic | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Won competition and secured job | ![Item 17 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1945 | Large Piggery Buildings, Drumpark | Bargeddie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 18 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1949 | Ice Cream Factory, Bargeddie | Bargeddie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Acted as architects and quantity surveyors.
| ![Item 19 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Old Monkland Hall-Church | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 20 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Pithead Baths, Workshops, Office Buildings, Road Cadden | Road Cadden | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | As architects and quantity surveyors | ![Item 21 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Premises for John Allen & Co, Glenpark Street | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Alterations and additions. Acted as architects and quantity surveyors | ![Item 22 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Rhousedale Preserve Works | Baillieston | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Architects and quantity surveyors for a scheme of extension | ![Item 23 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Premises for Messrs John Ishaw Ltd, Westerhouse Road | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Prepared plans | ![Item 24 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 17 April 1953 | Silvertrees Hotel, Bothwell | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Reconstruction with additions (also acting as quantity surveyors) | ![Item 25 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1 May 1953 | Wrangholm Church, New Stevenston | New Stevenston | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Plans in hand for new buildings | ![Item 26 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Cleghorn Building | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations to ground floor with addition of black and red granite. | ![Item 27 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 22 February 1957 | Burnhead Parish Church and Halls (Church of Scotland) | Uddingston | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | per Builder p391 | ![Item 28 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1960 | Housing, Holehills | Airdrie | | Lanarskshire | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | St Mark's Church | Wishaw | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 30 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1963 | Church, Burnhead | Uddingston | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 31 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1964 | GP Maternity Unit | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1964 | GP Maternity Unit | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 33 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1964 | GP Maternity Unit | Duntocher | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1964 | GP Maternity Unit | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | ![Item 35 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1965 | Broomknoll Free Church (and hall) | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Hall added | ![Item 36 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1965 | Factory for J Dick (Engineering) Ltd | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 37 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1965 | Royal Bank of Scotland | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Reconstruction | ![Item 38 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | After 1965 | Shop development for Granada Group Ltd | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 39 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | After 1965 | Works Department for the Burgh of Airdrie | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 40 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | Office for Pearl Assurance | Kilmarnock | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 41 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | Office for Pearl Assurance | Saltcoats | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 42 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | Office for Pearl Assurance | Prestwick | | Ayrshre | Scotland | | ![Item 43 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | Swimming Baths | Greenock | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | ![Item 44 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1968 | Clydesdale Bank | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 45 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1968 | Multi-storey redevelopment with 600 houses | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1969 | Housing redevelopment, Rosehill Brickworks site | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 47 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1969 | Housing, East Raw site | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 48 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1969 | Shops and office precinct | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 49 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1970 | Airdrie Savings Bank | Shotts | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 50 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1970 | Commercial Pearl Assurance office | Alloa | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | | ![Item 51 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1970 | Commercial Pearl Assurance Office | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 52 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1970 | St Columba's Church | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 53 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1970 | The Glen Hotel | Newtonmore | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | ![Item 54 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1972 | Environmental improvements | Coaatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 55 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1972 | Public house for A Carson & Sons | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 56 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1975 | Jackson Parish Church, Petersburn | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 57 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1977 | Lodge Airdrie St John No 166 | Airdrie | | | | | ![Item 58 of 58](images/table_item.gif) | 1982 | St Andrews Church | Blantyre | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | Measurers\' Companion | 1911 | The Scottish Architects' and Measurers' Companion | | | | ![Item 2 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | Municipal Annual | 1964 | Scottish Municipal Annual | 1964-1965 | | | ![Item 3 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA | 1980 | Directory of Practices 1980 | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 5 August 1949 | | | p184 | ![Item 2 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 10 February 1950 | | | p214 | ![Item 3 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 28 July 1950 | | | p140 | ![Item 4 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 1 June 1951 | | | p803 | ![Item 5 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 17 April 1953 | | | p616 | ![Item 6 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 1 May 1953 | | | p701 | ![Item 7 of 7](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 5 April 1957 | | | p656 |
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