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 | ![Item 1 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | | | | ![Item 2 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | 5, Traquair Park, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1948 * | | | ![Item 3 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | 40, Moray Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1948 | 1980 | Basil Spence & Partners and subsequently Sir Basil Spence, Glover & Ferguson | ![Item 4 of 4](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 1 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | | Drumbeg House | | | | Scotland | | ![Item 2 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1939 | West Court | Longniddry | | East Lothian | Scotland | Completed the job | ![Item 3 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1946 | Housing, 19A, 19B, 19C Victoria Street and 10, 12 Writer's Court | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | ![Item 4 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1947 | Enterprise Scotland 1947 Exhibition | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Claims to have worked on this, although before he joined Spence firm | ![Item 5 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1947 | Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Extension to N, for research and housing the synchrotron. | ![Item 6 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1948 | Housing, 1-6 Harbour Court, Castle Gate | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | ![Item 7 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1948 | Housing, 15A-15D Victoria Street and 8 Writer's Court | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | ![Item 8 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1948 | Housing, Victoria Place | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | ![Item 9 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1949(?) | Scottish Industries Exhibition (uncertain date - perhaps 1949?) | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Unspecified work mentioned in FRIBA paper | ![Item 10 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1950 | Premises for R S Robertson & Scott | | | | Scotland | | ![Item 11 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1951 | Festival of Britain Scotland, Exhibition of Industrial Power, Kelvin Hall | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Working for Basil Spence & Partners | ![Item 12 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | After 1951 | Private house(s) | Bedale | | Yorkshire | Scotland | Unclear whether Glover was involved or whether Ferguson was wholly responsible | ![Item 13 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | After 1951 | Private house(s) | Ormiston | | East Lothian | Scotland | Unclear whether Glover was involved or whether Ferguson was wholly responsible | ![Item 14 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1951 | Fishermen's Cottages, Dunbar | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Working for Basil Spence & Partners | ![Item 15 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1953 | Housing, Buncles Court and Lamer Street | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Job architect | ![Item 16 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Council houses | Dunbar | | East Lothian | Scotland | Worked on the implementation of the reduced scheme while in the office of Basil Spence & Partners | ![Item 17 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | Inch Hall Church | Inch | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 18 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1954 | St Andrew's Church | Clermiston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 19 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Community Hall | Broughton | | Peeblesshire | Scotland | | ![Item 20 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1955 | Scottish Agricultural Industries Fertilizer Works | Leith | | Edinburgh, Midlothian | Scotland | In consultation with Kinnear & Gordon | ![Item 21 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Bannerfield Estate | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | | ![Item 22 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Flats, Great Michael Rise and Annfield | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 23 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Tenement blocks, New Lane | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 24 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Tenements, 14-20 Great Michael Rise | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 25 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Tenements, 4-12 Great Michael Rise | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 26 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Tenements, New Lane | Newhaven | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 27 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1956 | Western General Hospital, Old Boiler House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 28 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1957 | George Watson's School, head masters house | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 29 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1957 | Trinity College Glenalmond | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Extension at E end of N range | ![Item 30 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1958 | Housing, Gorbals Redevelopment Scheme, Commercial Road Area | Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 31 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1958 | Hutchesontown / Gorbals Area C Housing Redevelopment | Hutchesontown/Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 32 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1958 | Scottish Widows Head Office | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Work supervised by Glover | ![Item 33 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1958 | Thurso High School | Thurso | | Caithness | Scotland | | ![Item 34 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1959 | Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | W, for teaching and lecture theatre. | ![Item 35 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1959 | Western General Hospital, Operating Theatre Block | | | Edinburgh, Midlothian | Scotland | | ![Item 36 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Late 1950s(?) | Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, blood transfusion extension | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 37 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 38 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Durham University, St Aidan's College | Durham | | Co. Durham | England | | ![Item 39 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Edinburgh University Library | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner-in-charge | ![Item 40 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Glasgow Royal Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Redevelopment | ![Item 41 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Glasgow Royal Infirmary | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Redevelopment | ![Item 42 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | ICI Silicones Factory | Ardeer | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | ![Item 43 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | King's College, University of Durham, Physics Department | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | ![Item 44 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Newcastle Central Library and Laing Art Gallery | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | ![Item 45 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Procter & Gamble computer building | | | | | | ![Item 46 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | Secondary School | Dinnington | | Sheffield | England | | ![Item 47 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960s | University College Dublin library | | | Dublin | Eire | | ![Item 48 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960 | RHS Ingliston showground, Yorkshire Insurance Stand | Ingliston | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 49 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960 | Royal Showground Stoneleigh, Yorkshire Insurance Stand | Stoneleigh | | Warwickshire | England | | ![Item 50 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1960 | Trinity College Glenalmond, Reid's House | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | | ![Item 51 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | After 1960 | King's College, University of Durham, Research Block | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | ![Item 52 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | Associated Electrical Industries showroom | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 53 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | House for A H Alexander | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 54 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | Recreation centre for Scottish Oils | Grangemouth | | Stirlingshire | Scotland | | ![Item 55 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | Scottish Amicable Life Assurance Society branch | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 56 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | University of Edinburgh, Department of Natural Philosophy | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Extension | ![Item 57 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1960 | University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings, Animal Breeding Research Organisation Headquarters | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | William Norman Hunter was job architect | ![Item 58 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1961 | 65-71 and 97-103 Canongate and 1-3 Brown's Close | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 59 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1961 | Glasgow (Abbotsinch) Airport | nr Paisley | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | £2m terminal building | ![Item 60 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1961 | Ten (10) 19-storey tower blocks, New Gorbals | New Gorbals | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 61 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1961 | Trinity College Glenalmond, Sanatorium | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | Altered and extended | ![Item 62 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1962 | Trinity College Glenalmond, Chapel | Glenalmond | | Perthshire | Scotland | New gallery and screen | ![Item 63 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1964 | Crookfur Old People's Homes, Crookfur Road | Newton Mearns | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | ![Item 64 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1964 | Mortonhall Crematorium | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 65 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | Glasgow University, Natural Philosophy Buildings | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Further additions | ![Item 66 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | University of Edinburgh, James Clerk Maxwell Building | The King's Buildings | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner in charge | ![Item 67 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | University of Edinburgh, Regional Computing Centre and Lecture Theatre Wing | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner in charge | ![Item 68 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1966 | Western General Hospital, laundry and boiler house | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 69 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1968 | Bar and Buffet Extension at Glasgow (Abbotsinch) Airport | Abbotsinch | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 70 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1970s | Aston University Library | | | Birmingham | England | | ![Item 71 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1970s | Edinburgh Centre for Rural Economy, Bush Estate | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 72 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1970s | Harry Younger Hall | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | | ![Item 73 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1970s | Western General Hospital, Sisters' Quarters | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations | ![Item 74 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | c. 1970 | Burrell Collection | | | Glasgow | Scotland | Competition design | ![Item 75 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1971 | University of Strathclyde, Queen Elizabeth Building | | | Glasgow | Scotland | | ![Item 76 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1972 | Heriot-Watt University, library | Riccarton | | Midlothian | Scotland | Senior partner | ![Item 77 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1972 | Scottish Widows Fund and Life Assurance Head Office | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Partner-in-charge | ![Item 78 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1974 | Automobile Association Headquarters | Erskine | | Renfrewshire | Scotland | | ![Item 79 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1976 | National Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh West End | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New bank encapsulating old building. | ![Item 80 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 1981 | University of Newcastle, Departments of Mining and Geology | | | Newcastle-upon-Tyne | England | | ![Item 81 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | Before 1981 | Aston University, management centre | | | Birmingham | England | | ![Item 82 of 82](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 1 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 2 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 3 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 4 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA | 1950 | The RIBA Kalendar 1950-1951 | | London: Royal Institute of British Architects | | ![Item 5 of 5](images/table_item.gif) | 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 | ![Item 1 of 1](images/table_item.gif) | Scotsman | 15 April 1994 | | | Obituary |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | ![Item 1 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | RIAS, Rutland Square | Records of membership | | | ![Item 2 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | A no6672 (stored under F5473); F no5473 (combined box 81) | ![Item 3 of 3](images/table_item.gif) | 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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