Basic Biographical Details Name: | Joseph Marr Johnston | Designation: | | Born: | 26 April 1871 | Died: | 1934 | Bio Notes: | Joseph Marr Johnston was born in Leith on 26 April 1871 and educated at George Watson's College, Edinburgh. He was articled to Robert Rowand Anderson from December 1885 to 1891, and was subsequently assistant clerk of works at the University of Edinburgh for four years, thereafter moving to William Nicholas Thomson's office in Leith as chief assistant before setting up his own practice at 34 Bernard Street, Leith in 1900. He quickly established himself by winning the competition for Leith Poorhouse and took a larger office at 56 Constitution Street, Leith which was redesignated 47 Queen Charlotte Street in 1904. Thereafter he became architect to Leith Parish Council, Edinburgh Parish Council, Leith School Board and the Navy and Army Canteen Board.
Johnston was admitted LRIBA in the mass intake of 20 July 1911, by which time he had carried out work in independent practice to a total value of £100,000. His proposers were the then chairman of Leith School Board and the minister of the parish of South Leith. A letter accompanying his application explains the absence of fellow architects among his proposers at this time: 'During the last 10 years or so I have been so much tied up in this town as to have got out of touch with the members of the Institute with whom I am acquainted and have some reluctance in asking them to vouch for me now as I have no reason to believe they are acquainted with work I have done.' He appears to have re-established his professional connections by 1926 when he was elected FRIBA on 14 June, his proposers this time being Thomas Forbes Maclennan, John James Joass and Alexander Lorne Campbell.
During the First World War he carried out work for the Army Canteen Board in Scotland in collaboration with E M Joseph of London, and designed hospitals for the American Navy and various buildings for the American Red Cross, British Red Cross and War Department.
He was a member of the Scottish Conservative Club, and a prominent freemason: Master of Lodge Trafalgar, Grand Architect of the Grand Lodge of Scotland and one of the founders of the Watsonian Masonic Lodge and its architect. He was also musical, being for long principal bass singer in the choir of St Giles Cathedral but in his later years he suffered from deafness. He had two sons and two daughters: the elder son James Stewart Johnston became a partner in 1930 and continued the practice alone after his father's death while on holiday in Oban in 1934. The younger son Frank W Johnston did not become a partner until 1947, when the firm became J & F Johnston. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | ![Item 1 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | 85, Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1898 | c. 1899 | | ![Item 2 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | 34, Bernard Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1900 | Before 1904 | | ![Item 3 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | 56, Constitution Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1900 | 1904 | Street redesignated 47 Queen Charlotte Street in 1904 | ![Item 4 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | 115, Ferry Road, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1903 | c. 1909 | | ![Item 5 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | 47, Charlotte Street, Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1904 | 1934 | New name for 34 Bernard Street | ![Item 6 of 6](images/table_item.gif) | 5, Derby Street, Trinity, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1910 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA Proposers
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 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1885 | National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Antiquities | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | As apprentice to Robert Rowand Anderson | ![Item 2 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1887 | University of Edinburgh, Medical School and McEwan Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | McEwan Hall - as assistant to Wardrop & Anderson | ![Item 3 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Dunblane Cathedral | Dunblane | | Perthshire | Scotland | Restoration - as apprentice to Robert Rowand Anderson | ![Item 4 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1889 | Hoddom Castle | Ecclefechan | | Dumfriesshire | Scotland | Survey plans and new lodge | ![Item 5 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Batsford Jenks & Co | | | | United States of America | | ![Item 6 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Belstane | | | Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 7 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Burlington Street Stables | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 8 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Children's Home | Ceres | | Fife | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 9 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Dollar Academy, pavilion | Dollar | | Clackmannanshire | Scotland | Sketch plans | ![Item 10 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Jenkinson's Premises | Leith? | | Edinburgh? | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Leith Docks, grain elevator | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 12 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Leith Docks, grain silo | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 13 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Magic Well | Balmullo | | Fife | Scotland | House, gardens, cottages, home farm, reservoir, drainage system | ![Item 14 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Mission Hall | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 15 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Mosspark | | | Perthshire | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 16 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Premises for Hislop & Day | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 17 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Premises for John Wood | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 18 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Premises for Messrs Wight & Calder | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 19 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Premises for Murray & Son | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 20 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Premises for Pearce | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 21 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Premises for R Lyon | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 22 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | St Giles Cathedral | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Organ case | ![Item 23 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Villas, Inverleith Place | Inverleith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 24 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Whincorner | | | Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1900 | Works and offices for shipbuilding and engineering firms | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 26 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Leith Poorhouse | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Placed 7th by the assessor but still secured job | ![Item 27 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1903 | Warehouse | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 28 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1905 | Premises for Sword & Sons, Great Junction Street | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | Mr M P Galloway's property and properties in Timberbush | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 30 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1906 | South Leith Parish Church Halls | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions and alterations | ![Item 31 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1907 | Swanfield Roller Flour Mills | Bonnington | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1908 | Bonnyrigg Public Library | Bonnyrigg | | Midlothian | Scotland | Competition design (unsuccessful) | ![Item 33 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1909 | House in Barnton Avenue | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1911 | Laurie Street Cinema | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Unclear at what stage he was involved | ![Item 35 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1911 | Leith Hospital, King Edward VII Memorial | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 36 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1913 | Alhambra Theatre of Varieties | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 37 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1914 | Balfour Place School | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 38 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1914 | Hermitage Park School | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 39 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1914 | Holy Cross Academy | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Addition | ![Item 40 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1915 | Buildings at Port Edgar | South Queensferry | | West Lothian | Scotland | | ![Item 41 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1918 | City Poorhouse | Craiglockhart | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Upgrading of buildings | ![Item 42 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1918 | St Cuthbert's Parish Council Offices | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Internal upgrading | ![Item 43 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1920 | Leith Docks, West Old Dock | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New office accomodation, demolition of old cooperage and erection of new cooperage | ![Item 44 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1921 | Premises of Messrs J & A Wylie | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Restoration of buildings after fire | ![Item 45 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1923 | House and garage | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 46 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1923 | North of Scotland Bank | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 47 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1923 | North of Scotland Bank | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Probably alterations | ![Item 48 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1925 | Shops and Houses Boswall Drive | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 49 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1926 | A & R Tod's Mills | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions and alterations, new silos and bridge | ![Item 50 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1926 | Leith Hospital | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations; new nurses' home; new outpatients' department; new casualty department | ![Item 51 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1926 | St Mary's RC Primary School | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 52 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1926 | Dalmahoy Golf Clubhouse | Dalmahoy | | Midlothian | Scotland | Reconstruction and extensions | ![Item 53 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1926 | Links Primary School | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 54 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | After 1926(?) | St Cuthbert's Poorhouse | Craigleith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Reconditioning of original buildings | ![Item 55 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1926(?) | Capitol Cinema | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 56 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1927 | Gogarburn Home for Mental Defectives | | | Midlothian | Scotland | Competition design - not successful | ![Item 57 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1929 | Wardie School | Trinity | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 58 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1929 | Lochend Road School | Leith | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Additions | ![Item 59 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1930 | St Ninian's RC School | Restalrig | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Working for the Edinburgh Education Authority | ![Item 60 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1931 | Property of R G Ritchie | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 61 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1933 | Ainslie Park High School | Pilton | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Died September 1934 | ![Item 62 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1933 | Wilson Memorial Church and Halls | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 63 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | 1934 | Blackhall UF Church and hall | Blackhall | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 64 of 64](images/table_item.gif) | Late 1930s | South House Primary School | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Bailey, Rebecca M | 1996 | Scottish architects' papers: a source book | | Edinburgh: The Rutland Press | | ![Item 2 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | British Architectural Library, RIBA | 2001 | Directory of British Architects 1834-1914 | | | | ![Item 3 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Johnston, James S | 1979 | J & F Johnston & Partners: a brief history of the firm | | | | ![Item 4 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | ![Item 1 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Builder | 13 October 1934 | | | Obituary | ![Item 2 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | RIAS Quarterly | 1934 | 47 | Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) | Obituary | ![Item 3 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA Journal | 13 October 1934 | v41 | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | p1069 - obituary | ![Item 4 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Scotsman | 3 September 1934 | | | 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) | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v18 no1372; F no2400 (box 6) |
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