Basic Biographical Details Name: | Thomas Greenshields Leadbetter | Designation: | | Born: | 21 October 1859 | Died: | 12 February 1931 | Bio Notes: | Thomas Greenshields Leadbetter was born on 21 October 1859, the son of James Greenshields Leadbetter (1827-1897) of Stobieside, Lanarkshire and Margaret Macpherson, daughter of Hugh Macpherson of Blantyreferme. The Leadbetters were Glasgow merchants and metal workers
Leadbetter commenced independent practice in 1885, renting chambers at 122 George Street, an address which suggests some kind of link with Peddie and Kinnear as Peddie owned it: there may also have been a connection with Charles Kinnear whose mother Christian Greenshields also came from a Glasgow merchant family. Information on his training is as yet lacking but the precocious neo-Tudor vernacular of Dundhu, comparable with W L Carruthers's early houses at Inverness suggests a similar London background as do his RA exhibits. On 28 August 1890 Leadbetter married Mary Anne Usher of Norton and Wells, substantially extending the family connections which were the basis of the practice. Although some commentators have found his work bland his understated and predominantly unturreted early-17th-century Scots style reflected J J Stevenson's advocacy of such an idiom in 'House Architecture' (1880) and paralleled Rowand Anderson's Allermuir and Glencoe.
In 1895 Leadbetter took into partnership James McLellan Fairley. Fairley had been born in 1860, the son of Captain Alexander Fairley of the US Army and served his apprenticeship with Hippolyte Jean Blanc from 1875, subsequently working in the offices of Wardrop & Reid, Archibald Macpherson, Walter Wood Robertson of the Office of Works and Arthur George Sydney Mitchell, before founding his practice c. 1885. He passed the qualifying exam in 1886 and was admitted ARIBA on 21 June of that year his proposers being Arthur Cates, George Washington Browne, John Kinross, ___ Berry (?) and, rather oddly, Leadbetter who does not seem to have been a fellow of the institute: his inclusion suggests that he had already been assisting Leadbetter's practice for some time.
Leadbetter inherited Stobieside from his father in 1897 and some time thereafter came into possession of Spittal Tower, Hawick. His house at 2 Magdala Place was given up in 1903, and the Leadbetters seem to have lived chiefly at Spittal Tower thereafter, but his name appears in the directories along with the firm at 17 Young Street until 1909, and he continued to be responsible for projects in which he had a personal interest beyond that date, notably the restoration of Bedrule Church and the complete rebuilding of his own Spittal Tower in 1914.
Leadbetter died on 12 February 1931. He was buried at Dean Cemetery on 14 February 1931. In his later years his surnames were hyphenated. He had three sons - James Greenshields Greenshields Leadbetter WS (born 11 August 1891), John Usher Leadbetter (born 12 September 1893, died 21 September 1908) and Major Alan Edmonstone Leadbetter (born 28 August 1896, killed in action 4 August 1917) - and two unmarried daughters, Mary Balmer Leadbetter and Jean Gillespie Leadbetter. | 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) | 26, Coates Gardens, Wester Coates, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1885 * | | | ![Item 2 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 122, George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1885 | c. 1891 | | ![Item 3 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 2, Magdala Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1890 | 1903 | | ![Item 4 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 17, Young Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1892 | | On his own until c1895, then with Fairley in 1895 and from 1909 also with Reid | ![Item 5 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Spittal Tower, Hawick, Roxburghshire, Scotland | Private | After 1897 | | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
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) | Leadbetter & Fairley | 1895 | After 1903 | Partner | Leadbetter semi-retired in 1903 but was still involved in some projects thereafter | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Leadbetter, Fairley & Reid | 1909 | c. 1921 | Partner | Involved in some projects whilst semi-retired. |
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 6](images/table_item.gif) | William Finlayson | After 1888 | c. 1890 | Assistant | | ![Item 2 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | John Daniel Swanston | c. 1889 | c. 1890 | Assistant | (Given as 'Leadbetter & Fairley' on Swanston's RIBA nomination papers) | ![Item 3 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | James McLellan Fairley | Before 1890 | 1895 | | It appears that Fairley worked in Leadbetter's office before being taken into partnership (the RIBA nomination papers of some other architects state that they worked for 'Leadbetter & Fairley' in the early 1890s) | ![Item 4 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Thomas Forbes Maclennan | c. 1893 | c. 1894 | Draughtsman | (Given as 'Leadbetter & Fairley' on Maclennan's RIBA nomination papers) | ![Item 5 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Robert Raeburn Grieve | 1894 | 1895 | Apprentice | | ![Item 6 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | Thomas Sinclair | c. 1894 | c. 1895 | 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) | James McLellan Fairley | 21 June 1886 | for Associateship |
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 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | 19 Eglinton Crescent | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Design for new interiors exhibited | ![Item 2 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | Clifton Hall | Newbridge | | Midlothian | Scotland | Design for billiard room exhibited | ![Item 3 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | Feuing at Ravelston | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Feuing plan | ![Item 4 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1886 | Dundhu | Loch Ard, Aberfoyle | | Perthshire | Scotland | Design exhibited (also 1890) | ![Item 5 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1886 | Feuing plans for Morningside College | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Feuing plans | ![Item 6 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1886 | Morningside Hydropathic Hotel | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Feuing plan | ![Item 7 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1887 | Bothwell Parish Council Chambers | Bellshill | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 8 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1887 | Cottage near Aberfoyle | Aberfoyle | | Perthshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 9 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1887 | Polmood Lodge | Peebles | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 10 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1888 | Library for Solicitors to the Supreme Courts of Scotland | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design (by invitation) - not successful | ![Item 11 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | 4-8 Castle Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Remodelled | ![Item 12 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | 6 Charlotte Square | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 13 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Bent Road School | Hamilton | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Competition design - unsuccessful | ![Item 14 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Blairston Farm | Bothwell | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 15 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Christ Church Episcopal Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Addition of north aisle | ![Item 16 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Village in Ayrshire | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Design exhibited 'in course of erection' | ![Item 17 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | 20 Murrayfield Gardens | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 18 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1890 | Tulloch Castle, Caisteal Gorach | Dingwall | | Ross and Cromarty | Scotland | Restoration/alterations? (Or were these to Tulloch Castle itself rather than this folly?) | ![Item 19 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1890 | 137-141 George Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 20 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1890 | Stronachullin Lodge | Ardrishaig | | Argyll | Scotland | Plan and perspectives - were these unexecuted? | ![Item 21 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | 26-27 Queen Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Internal remodelling of existing house as home of Society of Accountants of Edinburgh | ![Item 22 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Cessnock Castle | | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Design for reconstruction exhibited | ![Item 23 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Feuing plans for Basket Lands, Calderwood | East Kilbride | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Feuing plans (unexecuted) | ![Item 24 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1891 | Mansion house | | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | Design exhibited for addition | ![Item 25 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1891 | Craigcrook Castle | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions (billiard room etc) | ![Item 26 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | 4 Moray Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Subdivision of house into three flats | ![Item 27 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Blair House | Dalry | | Ayrshire | Scotland | North wing and re-fronting of east range, west wing and raising of roof of east wing. Also interior work | ![Item 28 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1892 | Grandtully Castle | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Design exhibited for large addition, which was executed. Restoration | ![Item 29 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1892 | Murthly Castle | Murthly | | Perthshire | Scotland | Partial rebuilding and repairs | ![Item 30 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | 52 Garscube Terrace | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 31 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Baird Memorial Cottages | Stitchel/Stichill/Stichel | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Bank and bank manager's house | North Berwick | | East Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 33 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1894 | Dunalistair | Fortingall | | Perthshire | Scotland | Tower Lodge and gateway | ![Item 34 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | 6 Wester Coates Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 35 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Airlie Lodge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 36 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Ardwall | | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | Design for additions exhibited | ![Item 37 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Carnegie Public Library | Wick | | Caithness | Scotland | Drew up design - with Sinclair MacDonald as executant architect | ![Item 38 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Johnstounburn | Haddington | | East Lothian | Scotland | Improved garden front | ![Item 39 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | Sandeman Public Library | Perth | | Perthshire | Scotland | Competition design - unplaced | ![Item 40 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | St Kentigern's Church | Inversnaid | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 41 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1895 | The Holmes | St Boswells | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Designs exhibited (before partnership with Fairley) | ![Item 42 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Airlie Lodge | | | Angus | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 43 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Arthur Lodge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 44 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Balbirnie House, including walled garden and stables | Markinch | | Fife | Scotland | Proposed additions | ![Item 45 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Coach house and stables for John Usher | Roseburn | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Hillhouse | Barassie | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Design for additions exhibited | ![Item 47 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1896 | Rowallan Castle and Rowallan House | Kilmaurs | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Rebuilding and additions -'proposed addition to old Scots mansion' - not executed | ![Item 48 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1897 | Broxburn Public School | Broxburn | | West Lothian | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 49 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | 22 Belgrave Crescent | Dean | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 50 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Border mansion house | | | | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 51 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Chapel of St Kentigern | | | Argyll | Scotland | | ![Item 52 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Eccles House | | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | ![Item 53 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1898 | Edinburgh Academy, Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Centre block | ![Item 54 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | 4 Belford Park | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion of stables to flats | ![Item 55 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Burntisland Golf Clubhouse | Burntisland | | Fife | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 56 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Fitzgerald Memorial Hall | Torphichen | | West Lothian | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 57 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Lodge and gates | | | | | Design exhibited | ![Item 58 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1899 | Summerhill | Kirkcudbright | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 59 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Blairhoyle House | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 60 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Edinburgh Academy, Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Drawing for carved panel dated | ![Item 61 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Edinburgh Academy, Main Building | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Site plan showing arrangement of covered ways | ![Item 62 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1900 | Parkhill | Dalry | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Addition of wings | ![Item 63 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1900 | 22 Moray Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Light installed | ![Item 64 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Bonded Store | Queen's Park, St Leonard's | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 65 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1901 | Mansion house | Slateford | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 66 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1901(?) | University of Edinburgh, John Usher Institute of Public Health | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 67 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1902 | 16 Gillespie Road | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 68 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1902 | 7-8 Moray Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations and subdivision into 5 dwellings | ![Item 69 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | New Parish Church (St Paul's) | Milngavie | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Won competition to secure job | ![Item 70 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Dalveah | Loch Ard, Aberfoyle | | Perthshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 71 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1904 | Lee Castle | Carnwath | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | New lodge, gate, large dairy | ![Item 72 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1904 | Glenpark | Balerno | | Midlothian | Scotland | New build/alterations? (Plans dated) | ![Item 73 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | 9 Lennox Street Lane | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Conversion of stable and coachhouse to garage | ![Item 74 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Carlung House | West Kilbride | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Design for rebuilding after fire (not executed) | ![Item 75 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Queenshill | Ringford (near), Kirkcudbright | | Kirkcudbrightshire | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 76 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Swinton Manse | Swinton | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Alterations? Repairs? | ![Item 77 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Swinton Parish Church | Swinton | | Berwickshire | Scotland | Alterations? | ![Item 78 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1905 | Simprin Church and Manse | | | Berwickshire | Scotland | | ![Item 79 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | Wells House | | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 80 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Low Drumclog | | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | HS Attribution | ![Item 81 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Stobieside | Drumclog | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 82 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1908 | Dean Cemetery, Leadbetter Memorial | Dean | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 83 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | The Abbey | North Berwick | | East Lothian | Scotland | Design exhibited | ![Item 84 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1911 | Edinburgh Academy, cricket ground and pavilion | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 85 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1911 | Hillhouse | Barassie | | Ayrshire | Scotland | Additions made | ![Item 86 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | Bedrule Parish Church | Bedrule | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Restoration | ![Item 87 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | Fernielaw House | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 88 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | 26-27 Queen Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Plans (unexecuted) for new Hall and Library on ground occupied by garden, cost estimate: £5,000 | ![Item 89 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Duddingston Forge | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 90 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | House at the crossroads of Duddingston Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 91 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Spittal Tower | Hawick | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | Alterations - involved though no longer officially practising with the partnership | ![Item 92 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1914 | Tenement, Duddingston Mills | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 93 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1917 | Lord Roberts Memorial Workshops, Greenside Row | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations (continued by practice after Fairley retired in 1938) | ![Item 94 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1919 | War Memorial | Bedrule | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 95 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1919 | War Memorial | Bedrule | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | | ![Item 96 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1920s | 17-18 Moray Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Plans - presumably for alterations? | ![Item 97 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | 1920 | Bedrule Parish Church | Bedrule | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | War memorial | ![Item 98 of 98](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1920 | Athelstaneford | Colinton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | War memorial |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | | ![Item 2 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Burke, ____ (Mosley, Charles, ed) | | Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage: Clan Chiefs, Scottish Feudal Barons | 107th Edition | Wilmington, Delaware: Burke's Peerage & Gentry LLC | | ![Item 3 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Glendinning, M, MacInnes, R and MacKechnie, A | 1996 | A History of Scottish Architecture | | | | ![Item 4 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Graves, Algernon | 1905 | The Royal Academy of Arts: a complete dictionary of exhibitors and their works… | 1905-6 | London: Graves and Bell | | ![Item 5 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Border Telegraph | 17 February 1931 | | | | ![Item 2 of 2](images/table_item.gif) | Scotsman | 14 February 1931 | | | Death notice |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | DMW Archive | Small, G P: The Leadbetters' Victorian Legacy, Unpublished paper, 21 September 1994 | | Research by Sam Small |
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