Basic Biographical Details Name: | Robert Wemyss | Designation: | | Born: | 5 March 1865 | Died: | 30 July 1955 | Bio Notes: | Robert Wemyss was born on 5 March 1865, the son of John Wemyss, Inland Revenue Officer and Phyllis Pate. He served his articles with Duncan McNaughtan. After completing his apprenticeship he worked as assistant for McNaughtan, for Burnet Son & Campbell where he was principally employed on railway work, for William Leiper, and for other unidentified firms before. He spent his holidays travelling and sketching in England, Scotland and Ireland. He commenced independent practice in Glasgow in January 1896, and was admitted LRIBA on 24 June 1912, proposed by John Bennie Wilson and the Glasgow Institute of Architects, which he had joined in 1907. At the time of his admittance to the RIBA he was working in offices at 103 Bath Street, Glasgow, and living at 7 Glenan Gardens, Helensburgh. In addition to his known works, his nomination papers state that he had designed domestic and commercial buildings in Glasgow, but none of these has yet been identified.
Wemyss later moved his practice to 58 West Princes Street, Helensburgh. He married Helen Macaslan or MacLaren. He died on 30 July 1955 in the Royal Infirmary, Glasgow. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 128, Hope Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1896 * | | | | 160, Hope Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1896 | After 1899 | | | 103, Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | Before 1899 | c. 1912 | | | 58, West Princes Street, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Business | After 1912 | | | | 7, Glenan Gardens, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Private/business | Before 1912 | After 1925 | | | 203, West George Street, Glasgow, Scotland | Business | 1914 * | | | | Dunvegan/35, Campbell Street, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Private | Before 1929 | After 1939 | | | Dunvegan/35, West Campbell Street, Helensburgh, Dunbartonshire, Scotland | Private | Before 1950 * | After 1955(?) | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersEmployees or Pupils
RIBARIBA ProposersThe following individuals proposed this for RIBA membership (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date proposed | Notes | | John Bennie Wilson | 24 June 1912 | for Licentiateship - as President of the Glasgow Institute of Architects |
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 | | 1890 | Parish Council Chambers, West King Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Before Wemyss was in independent practice | | 1894 | Ardlui Railway Station Buildings and station master's house | Arrochar | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | May be responsible for station master's house and perhaps station too | | 1894 | Arrochar and Tarbet station and station house | Tarbet | | Argyll | Scotland | Design has been ascribed to James Miller but perhaps by Wemyss then in the office of Burnet, Son & Campbell. | | 1894 | Bridge of Orchy Station | Bridge of Orchy | | Argyll | Scotland | Attributed to James Miller but perhaps by Wemyss who was then in the office of John Burnet, Son & Campbell who shared the work on stations with Miller. | | 1894 | Stationmaster's house | Garelochhead | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Then in the office of John Burnet, Son & Campbell | | c. 1894 | Station House | Brae Lochaber | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | c. 1894 | Station Master's cottage | Spean Bridge | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Stationmaster's house | Craigendoran | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Then in the office of John Burnet, Son & Campbell | | 1896 | Station buildings | | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Station buildings | | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Tenement, 17 John Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Tenement, 27 John Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Tenement, 62-66 Princes Street West | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Tenement, James Street and West Princes Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1896 | Villa, 32 Glasgow Street (at West Argyle Street?) | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations | | After 1896 | Row Parish Council Chambers | Rhu/Row | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | After 1896 | Summertown UF Church | Govan | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | After 1896 | Tenements and business premises | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1897 | Braehead | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension | | 1898 | 40-42 West Princes Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Row of shops and alterations to house | | 1898 | Cottage for the West Highland Railway | Garelochhead | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Hayfield Cottage | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension | | 1898 | Helensburgh Pier and Esplanade | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations to waiting room | | 1898 | House for Miss Angus, Glasgow Road and West Montrose Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Pierhead archway | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Rokney | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Rosemount | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Mansard roof | | 1898 | Villa, 25 Glasgow Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Villa, West Montrose Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1899 | 40-42 West Princes Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Saloon and bakehouse extension | | 1899 | Strathmoyne | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | House | | 1900 | Trynlaw | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Additions | | 1900 | Washhouse, West King Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | c. 1900 | Maryhill Central Station | Maryhill | | Glasgow | Scotland | In association with Forman & McColl as executors | | 1901 | Imperial Hotel | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Addition of pantry | | 1901 | Lorne House | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Conservatory and store | | 1901 | Middledrift | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension | | 1902 | Dunard | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Addition of angle tower, billiard room and bedrooms | | 1902 | Kentallen Station | North Appin | | Argyll | Scotland | May be by James Miller | | 1903 | Faslane Cemetery Cottage | Garelochhead | | Argyll | Scotland | | | 1903 | Station | Ballachulish | | Argyll | Scotland | Or perhaps by James Miller | | 1903 | Trynlaw | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Nursery | | c. 1903 | Duror Station | North Appin | | Argyll | Scotland | Perhaps by James Miller? | | 1904 | Cawdor Lodge and Tower House | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Additions, including oriels | | 1904 | Strathmoyne | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Timber garden house | | 1904 | Tynlachan | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1905 | Carisbrooke | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions to provide cloakroom and pantry | | 1906 | Bennochy | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations and enlargement | | 1906 | Dunarden | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Conversion of attics | | 1906 | Flats over shops, West High Street | Kirkintilloch | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1907 | Rosemount | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Bay-windowed extension providing dressing room and bathroom | | 1908 | Braeriach | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension of Burnside Cottage to form new detached house, including conservatory | | 1908 | Chapelfield | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Motor house | | 1908 | Findhorn | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension providing bathroom and dressing room | | 1908 | Heathfield | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Drawing room and bedroom address | | 1908 | Shop, 32 West Clyde Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Burnshill | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Bedroom addition | | 1909 | Four villas, John Street and Queen Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1909 | Strathculm | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension | | 1909 | Two detached villas, Burnbrae, 58-60 Campbell Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1910 | Moorlands | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Gardeners' cottage | | 1910 | Strathmoyne | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Billiard room added | | 1910 | Two villas, Millig Street and John Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1912 | Established Church | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations to choir | | 1913 | Tomato houses, Havelock Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1915 | Radernie | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1919 | Established Church | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations to choir | | 1919 | Tynlachan | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension | | 1920 | Inverallan | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Rear addition | | 1920 | Larkhill | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension and alterations | | 1922 | Braehead | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Drawing room addition | | 1922 | Cawdor Lodge and Tower House | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Billiard room | | 1923 | Established Church | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Session clerk and minister's room addition, and porch added to clock tower | | 1924 | Helensburgh Free Church | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Restoration after fire | | 1924 | Larchmount | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Kitchen addition | | 1926 | Thornton Lodge | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Servants' wing | | 1927 | 31 West Clyde Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension of shop, and gallery within shop | | 1928 | Struan | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Attic conversion | | 1928 | The Hill House | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Extension of gardener's house | | 1928 | Villa, 1 Rowallan Street | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Addition of bedroom over porch | | 1929 | Open-air swimming pool | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | | | 1937 | Helenslee | Helensburgh | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Alterations and additions |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Post Office Directories | | | | | | | RIBA | 1930 | The RIBA Kalendar 1930-1931 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | RIBA | 1939 | The RIBA Kalendar 1939-1940 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | RIBA Journal | April 1956 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | Obituary p258 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | Professor David M Walker personal archive | Professor David M Walker, notes and collection of archive material | | Information on parentage, marriage and death from research by Iain Paterson | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | L v26 no2144 |
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