James Salmon (1873-1924)
Encyclopedia
James Salmon was a Scottish
architect
, who practiced mainly in Glasgow
. One of his most famous buildings is "The Hatrack" (1899–1902) in St Vincent Street, a heavily glass-fronted Art Nouveau
tower, remarkable in execution for its day. This building was only recently rescued from demolition and is category-A listed.
Salmon was born in Glasgow, the son of architect William Forrest Salmon (1843–1911) and Jessie Alexander, and grandson of architect James Salmon (1805–1888). He was educated at Glasgow High School
from 1883 to 1888, when he joined the architecture practice his grandfather had established in 1830. James senior had died that year, leaving William in charge. James junior attended classes at Glasgow School of Art
from 1888 until 1895, and completed his apprenticeship in the office of William Leiper (1839–1916). On completion of his articles
he undertook a grand tour
, taking in France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Greece and Spain.
In 1895 Salmon rejoined the family firm, where John Gaff Gillespie (1870–1926) was now a partner. He worked on designs for the Mercantile Chambers in Bothwell Street, and was himself made a partner in 1898. In November 1903 the firm was renamed Salmon Son & Gillespie. He continued to undertake study tours to Europe, and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
(RIBA) in 1906. Salmon's designs were largely in the Glasgow Style of art nouveau
, influenced by the sculptors he had met at Glasgow School of Art, and by the architecture of the arts and crafts movement
. In 1904-5 Salmon was responsible for the Lion Chambers on Hope Street, an early example of reinforced concrete
construction.
William Forrest Salmon died in 1911, leaving his share of the partnership to his second wife Agnes, James Salmon's stepmother. Gillespie bought out Agnes' interest, becoming senior partner, and later taking on William Kidd (1879–1929) to form the basis of the modernist practice Gillespie, Kidd & Coia
. Salmon left the practice in 1913, retaining a commission for the Admiralty
Village at Greenock
, and setting up on his own as James Salmon & Son. When the First World War broke out, this connection brought further commissions, although he had little other work after the split. After the war, he concentrated on domestic and hospital work. In 1923 he retired due to bowel cancer, and died the following April.
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...
architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
, who practiced mainly in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. One of his most famous buildings is "The Hatrack" (1899–1902) in St Vincent Street, a heavily glass-fronted Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
tower, remarkable in execution for its day. This building was only recently rescued from demolition and is category-A listed.
Salmon was born in Glasgow, the son of architect William Forrest Salmon (1843–1911) and Jessie Alexander, and grandson of architect James Salmon (1805–1888). He was educated at Glasgow High School
High School of Glasgow
The High School of Glasgow is an independent, co-educational day school in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded as the Choir School of Glasgow Cathedral in around 1124, it is the oldest school in Scotland, and the twelfth oldest in the United Kingdom. It remained part of the Church as the city's grammar...
from 1883 to 1888, when he joined the architecture practice his grandfather had established in 1830. James senior had died that year, leaving William in charge. James junior attended classes at Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art is one of only two independent art schools in Scotland, situated in the Garnethill area of Glasgow.-History:It was founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Government School of Design. In 1853, it changed its name to The Glasgow School of Art. Initially it was located at 12 Ingram...
from 1888 until 1895, and completed his apprenticeship in the office of William Leiper (1839–1916). On completion of his articles
Articled clerk
An articled clerk, also known as an articling student, is an apprentice in a professional firm in Commonwealth countries. Generally the term arises in the accountancy profession and in the legal profession. The articled clerk signs a contract, known as "articles of clerkship", committing to a...
he undertook a grand tour
Grand Tour
The Grand Tour was the traditional trip of Europe undertaken by mainly upper-class European young men of means. The custom flourished from about 1660 until the advent of large-scale rail transit in the 1840s, and was associated with a standard itinerary. It served as an educational rite of passage...
, taking in France, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Turkey, Greece and Spain.
In 1895 Salmon rejoined the family firm, where John Gaff Gillespie (1870–1926) was now a partner. He worked on designs for the Mercantile Chambers in Bothwell Street, and was himself made a partner in 1898. In November 1903 the firm was renamed Salmon Son & Gillespie. He continued to undertake study tours to Europe, and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects
Royal Institute of British Architects
The Royal Institute of British Architects is a professional body for architects primarily in the United Kingdom, but also internationally.-History:...
(RIBA) in 1906. Salmon's designs were largely in the Glasgow Style of art nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
, influenced by the sculptors he had met at Glasgow School of Art, and by the architecture of the arts and crafts movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
. In 1904-5 Salmon was responsible for the Lion Chambers on Hope Street, an early example of reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is concrete in which reinforcement bars , reinforcement grids, plates or fibers have been incorporated to strengthen the concrete in tension. It was invented by French gardener Joseph Monier in 1849 and patented in 1867. The term Ferro Concrete refers only to concrete that is...
construction.
William Forrest Salmon died in 1911, leaving his share of the partnership to his second wife Agnes, James Salmon's stepmother. Gillespie bought out Agnes' interest, becoming senior partner, and later taking on William Kidd (1879–1929) to form the basis of the modernist practice Gillespie, Kidd & Coia
Gillespie, Kidd & Coia
Gillespie, Kidd & Coia were a Scottish architectural firm famous for their application of modernism in churches and universities, as well as at St Peter's Seminary in Cardross. Though founded in 1927, it is for their work in the post-war period that they are best known...
. Salmon left the practice in 1913, retaining a commission for the Admiralty
Admiralty
The Admiralty was formerly the authority in the Kingdom of England, and later in the United Kingdom, responsible for the command of the Royal Navy...
Village at Greenock
Greenock
Greenock is a town and administrative centre in the Inverclyde council area in United Kingdom, and a former burgh within the historic county of Renfrewshire, located in the west central Lowlands of Scotland...
, and setting up on his own as James Salmon & Son. When the First World War broke out, this connection brought further commissions, although he had little other work after the split. After the war, he concentrated on domestic and hospital work. In 1923 he retired due to bowel cancer, and died the following April.