John Melvin (1855–1905) was a Scottish architect in central Scotland specialising in Arts & Crafts architecture.[1]

Life

Gean House, Alloa

John Melvin was born in Alloa on 21 January 1855 the eldest son of John Melvin, architect (1805-1894)) who had joined the United Presbyterian Church of Scotland in the year of its creation in 1847. His mother was Helen McMillan.[2]

He was articled to his father then moved to Edinburgh to broaden his experience working with George Beattie & Son under William Hamilton Beattie. Beatties were a new breed of "architect-builders". In 1874 he returned to Alloa to become a partner in John Melvin & Co.[3]

He suffered from continual ill-health and died on 30 September 1905.[4]

Known works

  • Natural History Museum, Alloa (1874)
  • Norwood (villa in Alloa) (1874)
  • Alloa Burgh School (1875)
  • Dysart United Presbyterian Manse (1875)
  • Clydesdale Bank, Bo'ness (1877)
  • 63 Queen Street, Alloa (1878)
  • Kilncraigs Factory and Mill (1878) for Patons Thread Co. (three further storeys added in 1902)
  • Kirkton of Largo School, Upper Largo (1878)
  • Tower on the Popular Institute in Tillicoultry (1878)
  • Tillicoultry Town Hall (1879)
  • Group of villas in Kellie Place, Alloa (1880)
  • Alva Infant School (1885)
  • Kincardine-on-Forth Public School (1889)
  • Clackmannan County Infectious Disease Hospital, Sauchie (1893)
  • Thistle Brewery, Alloa (1896)
  • Infectious Disease Hospital, Linlithgow (1899)
  • Infectious Disease Hospital, Bathgate (1901)
  • Alloa Parish Church manse (aka Claremont House), 39 Claremont, Alloa (1901) later the home of the Earl of Mar and Kellie[5]
  • Alva Police Station (1901)
  • Union Club, Alloa (1901) for Younger's Brewery
  • Craig-na-Aird, 37 Claremont, Alloa (1902)
  • Craigmyle, Alloa (1902)
  • Hawkhill Cottages, Alloa (1902)
  • St John's Episcopal School, Alloa (1902)
  • Offices for John Paton & Sons, Alloa (1902)
  • Corner tenement, Coalgate/Union Street, Alloa (1903)
  • Liberal Club, Alloa (1904)
  • Tillicoultry School (1904)
  • Kellyside in Dollar (1905)

John Melvin & Son

The practice continued after Melvin's death, being run by William Kerr. Notable further works include:

  • Sauchie Public Hall (1911)
  • Kinross High School (1911)
  • The Gean, huge mansion near Alloa (1912) for Alexander Forrester Paton, childhood home of Colin Forrester-Paton.
  • Linwood School (1912)
  • YMCA Halls Alloa (1914)
  • Minto Gardens housing scheme in Alva (1919)
  • Extensions and adaption of boarding houses serving Dollar Academy (c.1922)
  • Alloa Bowking Club (1925)
  • Paton and Baldwin Sports Pavilion, Alloa (1926)

References

  1. ↑ Clackmannan and the Ochils, Adam Swan, ISBN 07073 0513 6
  2. ↑ "John Melvin (born 1806 in Alloa, Clackmannanshire) living in Alloa, Clackmannanshire in 1881". www.findmypast.co.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  3. ↑ "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (November 6, 2022, 12:56 am)". www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  4. ↑ "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (November 6, 2022, 12:56 am)". www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 2022-11-06.
  5. ↑ Clackmannan and the Ochils, Adam Swan, ISBN 07073 0513 6
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