Basic Biographical Details Name: | John Hardie Glover | Designation: | | Born: | 21 February 1913 | Died: | 6 April 1994 | Bio Notes: | John Hardie Glover was born in North Berwick on 21 February 1913, the son of Thomas Glover, school teacher and his wife Elizabeth Hardie. He studied at the School of Architecture, Edinburgh College of Art from 1931 to 1937, with a gap for a year's practical training in the office of Dick Peddie, Todd & Jamieson. He was awarded a travelling scholarship that enabled him to visit France and Italy in 1936. On receiving his diploma in 1937, he was appointed assistant to Leslie Grahame Thomson & Connell. The next year he was given an exemption from the final exam and was admitted ARIBA, his proposers being William James Walker Todd, Leslie Grahame Thomson and Frank Charles Mears. He then left Thomson's office to join that of Thomas Aikman Swan.
His career was interrupted by war service (1939-46) in Great Britain and India with the Royal Engineers. On his return he was appointed Architect to the Council of Industrial Design (Scottish Committee). Two years later he joined Basil Spence & Partners, where he was promoted to the role of associate in 1950 and taken into partnership in 1956, along with Peter Scott Ferguson.
Glover was elected ARIAS in 1955 and FRIBA in 1960. His and Ferguson's roles in the Spence firm were formally recognised by a change of the practice title in 1964 to Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson. The impetus behind this change was the splitting of the branch office Spence had set up in London in 1961 into two distinct practices. An associate, James Beveridge, was taken into partnership in the Edinburgh practice in 1968.
In 1969 Glover was honoured with an OBE, as well as being admitted ARSA. It was also in 1969 that the practice suffered the loss of Ferguson, who died after an illness. Three years later, on Spence's retirement, Glover became senior partner. He was joined by new partners Andrew Merrylees in that year and John Legge in 1973, both of whom had previously been associates. Glover's obituarist notes that without Glover's 'sensitive and creative guidance' the practice 'would not have made the significant impact that it did on Scottish architecture from the Fifties through to the Eighties'.
He retired from practice in 1980, but remained as a consultant to the firm. He was elevated to FRSA in 1981.
Glover was a 'quiet, unassuming but immensely talented man'. He died at home on 6 April 1994, survived by his wife Laura Millicent James (d.25 December 2004), son John H, daughter Viki and six grandchildren, one of whom went on to study architecture himself. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | | | | | 5, Traquair Park, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1948 * | | | | 40, Moray Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1948 | 1980 | Basil Spence & Partners and subsequently Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson | | The Coach House/14, Belford Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1949 | 1994 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployers
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 | | | Drumbeg House | | | | Scotland | | | 1939 | West Court | Longniddry | | East Lothian | Scotland | Completed the job | | 1946 | Housing, 19A, 19B, 19C Victoria Street and 10, 12 Writer's Court | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | | 1947 | Enterprise Scotland 1947 Exhibition | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Claims to have worked on this, although before he joined Spence firm | | 1947 | Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extension to N, for research and housing the synchrotron. | | 1948 | Housing, 1-6 Harbour Court, Castle Gate | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | | 1948 | Housing, 15A-15D Victoria Street and 8 Writer's Court | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | | 1948 | Housing, Victoria Place | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | | c. 1949(?) | Scottish Industries Exhibition (uncertain date - perhaps 1949?) | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unspecified work mentioned in FRIBA paper | | 1950 | Premises for R S Robertson & Scott | | | | Scotland | | | 1951 | Festival of Britain Scotland, Exhibition of Industrial Power, Kelvin Hall | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Working for Basil Spence & Partners | | After 1951 | Private house(s) | Bedale | | Yorkshire | Scotland | Unclear whether Glover was involved or whether Ferguson was wholly responsible | | After 1951 | Private house(s) | Ormiston | | East Lothian | Scotland | Unclear whether Glover was involved or whether Ferguson was wholly responsible | | Before 1951 | Fishermen's Cottages, Dunbar | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Working for Basil Spence & Partners | | 1953 | Housing, Buncles Court and Lamer Street | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | | 1954 | Council houses | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Worked on the implementation of the reduced scheme while in the office of Basil Spence & Partners | | 1954 | Inch Hall Church | Inch | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1954 | St Andrew's Church | Clermiston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1955 | Community Hall | Broughton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | | | 1955 | Scottish Agricultural Industries Fertilizer Works | Leith | | Edinburgh, Midlothian | Scotland | In consultation with Kinnear & Gordon | | 1956 | Bannerfield Estate | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | | | 1956 | Flats, Great Michael Rise and Annfield | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1956 | Tenement blocks, New Lane | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1956 | Tenements, 14-20 Great Michael Rise | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1956 | Tenements, 4-12 Great Michael Rise | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1956 | Tenements, New Lane | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1956 | Western General Hospital, Old Boiler House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1957 | George Watson's School, head masters house | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1957 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Extension at E end of N range | | 1958 | Housing, Gorbals Redevelopment Scheme, Commercial Road Area | Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1958 | Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area C Housing Redevelopment | Hutchesontown/Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1958 | Scottish Widows Head Office | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Work supervised by Glover | | 1958 | Thurso High School | Thurso | | Caithness | Scotland | | | 1959 | Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | W, for teaching and lecture theatre. | | 1959 | Western General Hospital, Operating Theatre Block | | | Edinburgh, Midlothian | Scotland | | | Late 1950s(?) | Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, blood transfusion extension | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | Mid 1950s | Normal College (later University Staff Club) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Major alterations- designed staff club as partner in charge of Basil Spence's Edinburgh office per Builder p912 | | 1960s | Durham University, St Aidan's College | Durham | | Co. Durham | England | | | 1960s | Edinburgh University Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner-in-charge | | 1960s | Glasgow Royal Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Redevelopment | | 1960s | Glasgow Royal Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Redevelopment | | 1960s | ICI Silicones Factory | Ardeer | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1960s | King's College, University of Durham, Physics Department | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | | 1960s | Newcastle Central Library and Laing Art Gallery | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | | 1960s | Procter & Gamble computer building | | | | | | | 1960s | Secondary School | Dinnington | | Sheffield | England | | | 1960s | University College Dublin library | | | Dublin | Eire | | | 1960 | RHS Ingliston showground, Yorkshire Insurance Stand | Ingliston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1960 | Royal Showground Stoneleigh, Yorkshire Insurance Stand | Stoneleigh | | Warwickshire | England | | | 1960 | Trinity College Glenalmond, Reid's House | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | | | After 1960 | King's College, University of Durham, Research Block | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | | Before 1960 | Associated Electrical Industries showroom | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | Before 1960 | House for A H Alexander | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | Before 1960 | Recreation centre for Scottish Oils | Grangemouth | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | | Before 1960 | Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society branch | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | Before 1960 | University of Edinburgh, Department of Natural Philosophy | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Extension | | Before 1960 | University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Animal Breeding Research Organisation Headquarters | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | William Norman Hunter was job architect | | 1961 | 65-71 and 97-103 Canongate and 1-3 Brown's Close | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1961 | Glasgow (Abbotsinch) Airport | nr Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | £2m terminal building | | 1961 | Ten (10) 19-storey tower blocks, New Gorbals | New Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1961 | Trinity College Glenalmond, Sanatorium | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Altered and extended | | 1962 | Trinity College Glenalmond, Chapel | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | New gallery and screen | | 1964 | Crookfur Old People's Homes, Crookfur Road | Newton Mearns | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1964 | Mortonhall Crematorium | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1966 | Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Further additions | | 1966 | University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwell Building | The King's Buildings | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner in charge | | 1966 | University of Edinburgh, Regional Computing Centre and Lecture Theatre Wing | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner in charge | | 1966 | Western General Hospital, laundry and boiler house | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1968 | Bar and Buffet Extension at Glasgow (Abbotsinch) Airport | Abbotsinch | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1970s | Aston University Library | | | Birmingham | England | | | 1970s | Edinburgh Centre for Rural Economy, Bush Estate | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1970s | Harry Younger Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | | 1970s | Western General Hospital, Sisters' Quarters | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | | c. 1970 | Burrell Collection | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design | | 1971 | University of Strathclyde, Queen Elizabeth Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | | 1972 | Heriot-Watt University, library | Riccarton | | Midlothian | Scotland | Senior partner | | 1972 | Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Head Office | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner-in-charge | | 1974 | Automobile Association Headquarters | Erskine | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | | 1976 | National Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh West End | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New bank encapsulating old building. | | 1981 | University of Newcastle, Departments of Mining and Geology | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | | Before 1981 | Aston University, management centre | | | Birmingham | England | | | Before 1981 | Project for oil refinery | Invergordon | | Ross & Cromarty | Scotland | Perhaps not involved |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Glendinning, Miles | 1997 | Rebuilding Scotland: The Postwar Vision, 1945-75 | | Tuckwell Press Ltd | pXI A 1958 sketch perspective of Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area 'C' proposed blocks pXII Demolition of Hutchesontown 'C' September 1993 p10 Image of Thomas Whalen's 'Coal Cliff' relief for the 1951 Exhibition of Industrial Power p14 Harbour Court Housing, Dunbar p20, p39, p92-4, p98-102, p144-7, p175 Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area 'C' pp38, 96, 98, 162 Mortonhall Crematorium p96-7 Lamer Street Housing, Dunbar p97 Thurso High School p98 Abbotsinch Airport p141-2, p165-7 Edinburgh University Library p159-60 Fishermen's Houses, Dunbar | | Glendinning, Miles and Muthesius, Stefan | 1994 | Tower Block: Modern Public Housing in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland | | Yale University Press: New Haven and London | Hutchesontown Area C: p170, p224, p327, p368 | | http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/122525/details/edinburgh+george+square+univ | | http://canmore.rcahms.gov.uk/en/site/122525/details/edinburgh+george+square+university+of+edinburgh+library/ | | | Edinburgh University Library Accessed 21.04.12 | | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | | Willis, Peter | 1977 | New architecture in Scotland | | | p8, p10 Fishermen's Houses p14, p38-41 Mortonhall Crematorium p46-7 Edinburgh University Library p60-1 Scottish Widows |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Scotsman | 15 April 1994 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no6672 (stored under F5473); F no5473 (combined box 81) | | Sent to DSA by email | Information from AHRC/RCAHMS Spence project per David W Walker and Clive Fenton | | Clive Fenton's research notes (sent July 2010) |
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