James Alison (architect)
James Alison | |
---|---|
Born | 22 June 1862 Heriot-Watt College |
Occupation | Architect |
Known for | architectural appearance of late Victorian Hawick |
Spouse | Mary Blair |
James Alison (1862–1932) was a Scottish architect, principally practising in Roxburghshire with offices in Hawick.
James Pearson Alison was born in
His elder brother, Thomas Alison was a painter, principally known for Landscape painting, who also produced portraits and other works.[1] Another brother, John Pearson Alison, was a farmer at D'Arcy, Midlothian.[2][8][9]
He went to school in Dalkeith and then continued his education in Edinburgh. He attended the
Before leaving Dalkeith, where he had influential connections, he was commissioned to design the new Burgh Chambers in 1882. This was his first commission. The first meeting of the Burgh Commissioners in the new municipal buildings was held on 9 October 1882, with his father, Chief Executive and provost of Dalkeith 1881–1884, presiding.[1][10][11]
He moved to Paisley, Renfrewshire in 1886 to work for the architect Charles Davidson. Then in 1888 he moved to Hawick, where he opened his own practice. He gained a good reputation with local manufacturers and landowners after some early commissions and more work swiftly followed. In 1892 he married Mary Blair of Paisley, where he had previously lived.[1]
In Hawick he was very prolific and designed with high quality and great versatility. He designed in various styles, including Palladian, Gothic, Mock Tudor, Art Nouveau and Dutch styles. He often had Dutch style gables. Overall, he added significantly to the appearance of the Hawick of his time. One of Alison's early successes (1894) is the former Central Hotel (1 North Bridge St).
Up to the
After the war, he was commissioned to design several
From the early 1920s he went into partnership with George Hobkirk under the name “J P Alison & Hobkirk” and the firm continued in Hawick after his death until 1959, firstly under George Hobkirk and latterly under Joseph Aitken. The successor firm remained in Hawick until after 1985 and eventually moved to Galashiels.[1][18] [13]
He became a Fellow of Royal Institute of British Architects on 2 December 1907. He was a member of the Hawick Archaeological Society and the Hawick Gallants Club. As a keen antiquarian, he was Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland.[13][1]
He died in Hawick on 19 November 1932.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Dictionary of Scottish Architects website, section on James Alison www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=200008 - retrieved Dec 2023
- ^ a b c Census of Scotland, 1881 ALISON, THOMAS (Census 683/ 1/ 13) Page 13 of 41 www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk - retrieved Dec 2023
- ^ a b "The Late Mr Thomas Alison, Ex-provost of Dalkeith" Dalkeith Advertiser, publ. 03 September 1931, Dalkeith, Midlothian
- ^ Dalkeith District Directory, 1894, publ. P & D Lyle, Dalkeith, 1894; pp. 3, 42, 44. 45
- ^ Oliver & Boyd's New Edinburgh Almanac and National Repository For The Year 1883, Publ. Oliver & Boyd, Tweeddale Court, Edinburgh, 1883; pp. 1031, 1035, 1053-1054
- ^ Political and Social Movements in Dalkeith from 1831 To 1882, by Alexander Mitchell, 1882. Publ. by Wentworth Press 2019; pp.144, 147
- ^ Edinburgh County Directory 1870-71, printed By Commercial Printing Co., 22 Howe St., Edinburgh 1870 pp.34, 86, 92, 140, 369
- ^ Post Office Edinburgh, Leith, and County Directory 1913-1914, Publ. by W. G. Kirkwood, Secretary to the Post Office for Scotland, Printed by Morrison & Gibb Limited, Edinburgh, 1913; p. 860
- ^ The County Directory of Scotland, ed. By Francis Braid, General Post Office, Edinburgh; publ. by R Grant & Son, 107 Princes Street, Edinburgh, 1902; p.149
- ^ "Meeting"Dalkeith Advertiser publ. Thursday 12 October 1882, Dalkeith, Midlothian; p.2
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland website: 2-8 (Even Nos) Buccleuch Street, Municipal Buildings portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB24334 - retrieved Dec. 2023
- ^ Historic Environment Scotland website: 1 North Bridge Street portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB51219 - retrieved Dec. 2023
- ^ a b c "Hawick - A History from Earliest Times", by Alistair Moffat, publ. Birlinn Ltd, Edinburgh, 2014; pp. 143-145
- ^ The Scotsman, publ. 22 November 1920, Edinburgh; article on p.5
- ^ War Memorials Register of Imperial War Museum web site - Denholm www.iwm.org.uk/memorials/item/memorial/69098 - retrieved December 2023
- ^ "War Memorials Register of Imperial War Museum web site - Dalkeith". Retrieved 18 December 2023.
- ^ "Dalkeith War Memorial, King's Park" in "Dalkeith & Around Through Time" by Jack Gillon, publ.Amberley Publishing, Stroud, Glos., 2016
- ^ Aitken Turnbull architects www.aitken-turnbull.co.uk/who-we-are retrieved Dec. 2023