Colin McWilliam
Encyclopedia
Colin McWilliam was a Scottish
architecture academic and author.
, he graduated from the University of Cambridge
and became Director of the Scottish National Buildings Record, then the Assistant Secretary of the National Trust for Scotland
. He also directed architectural history and conservation at Heriot-Watt University
. He was a founder of the Dictionary of Scottish Architects Project, and was instrumental in setting up the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
.
In the 1970s he was approached by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner
who, having completed the The Buildings of England series, was keen to extend the project to cover the rest of the UK. McWilliam went on to co-write two volumes in The Buildings of Scotland series and became the project's editor.
He designed a desk and a bookcase incorporating copies of a portrait medallion of Robert Adam
by James Tassie
, for the Cabinet Room in Bute House
, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland
.
Colin McWilliam is commemorated on a plaque in Greyfriars Kirkyard
in Edinburgh
. He was the father of the author Candia McWilliam
.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
architecture academic and author.
Career
Born in LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, he graduated from the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
and became Director of the Scottish National Buildings Record, then the Assistant Secretary of the National Trust for Scotland
National Trust for Scotland
The National Trust for Scotland for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, commonly known as the National Trust for Scotland describes itself as the conservation charity that protects and promotes Scotland's natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations to...
. He also directed architectural history and conservation at Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University is a university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The name commemorates George Heriot, the 16th century financier to King James, and James Watt, the great 18th century inventor and engineer....
. He was a founder of the Dictionary of Scottish Architects Project, and was instrumental in setting up the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland
The Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland is a society dedicated to the protection and study of the built heritage of Scotland. It has around 1100 members and six regional groups responsible for commenting on planning applications in their area together with educational activities...
.
In the 1970s he was approached by Sir Nikolaus Pevsner
Nikolaus Pevsner
Sir Nikolaus Bernhard Leon Pevsner, CBE, FBA was a German-born British scholar of history of art and, especially, of history of architecture...
who, having completed the The Buildings of England series, was keen to extend the project to cover the rest of the UK. McWilliam went on to co-write two volumes in The Buildings of Scotland series and became the project's editor.
He designed a desk and a bookcase incorporating copies of a portrait medallion of Robert Adam
Robert Adam
Robert Adam was a Scottish neoclassical architect, interior designer and furniture designer. He was the son of William Adam , Scotland's foremost architect of the time, and trained under him...
by James Tassie
James Tassie
James Tassie was a Scottish gem engraver and modeller.He was born of humble parentage at Pollokshaws, in Glasgow. During his earlier years he worked as a stonemason, but, having seen the collection of paintings brought together in Glasgow by Robert Foulis and Andrew Foulis, the printers, he...
, for the Cabinet Room in Bute House
Bute House
Bute House is the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland, who is the head of the Scottish Government, the country's devolved government established in 1999...
, the official residence of the First Minister of Scotland
First Minister of Scotland
The First Minister of Scotland is the political leader of Scotland and head of the Scottish Government. The First Minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development and presentation of Scottish Government policy...
.
Colin McWilliam is commemorated on a plaque in Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located at the southern edge of the Old Town, adjacent to George Heriot's School. Burials have been taking place since the late 16th century, and a number of notable Edinburgh residents are interred at...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. He was the father of the author Candia McWilliam
Candia McWilliam
Candia McWilliam is a Scottish author. Her father was the architectural writer and academic Colin McWilliam.Born in Edinburgh, McWilliam was educated at Girton College, Cambridge, where she obtained first class honours. Her first novel, A Case of Knives, published in 1988, was the winner of a...
.
Publications
- Culross: A Short Guide (1962)
- Scottish Townscape (1975)
- Lothian, except Edinburgh. Buildings of Scotland. (1978)
- Edinburgh. Buildings of Scotland. (1984) (with David Walker and John Gifford)