Papers of James Salmon (1873-1924), architect, Glasgow, Scotland

Description Papers of James Salmon (1873-1924), architect, Glasgow, Scotland

Date 1895 to 1911

Collection Papers of James Salmon (1873-1924), architect, Glasgow, Scotland

Catalogue Number 551 135

Category All Other

Scope and Content Over 60 letters dating from 1898-1911. The letters often record the location from where James Salmon is writing and discuss a wide range of subjects. They are frequently illustrated and provide an engaging insight to Salmon’s life. And: A watercolour of Rowantreehill, KIlmacolm, built by Salmon as a family home in 1898; a watercolour by Salmon of Arrat's Mill, Brechin from 1895 (this property was owned by Salmon's Uncle and the family visited often); views of the Great Hall of Versailles and a street in Zurich or Belgium executed by Salmon when on architectural tours.

Archive History Mrs Anne Francis held James Salmon's letters to her father, Hugh Alexander Salmon, in a journal at her home in Christchurch, New Zealand, until February 2005 when they were donated to RCAHMS (Acc No: 2005/50). Acc No: 2020/43 gifted by Mrs Helen Francis, Salmon's great niece, who had previously gifted material relating to Salmon (Acc No: 2005/50).

Related Material The Salmon Collection contains a range of plans by James Salmon.

Access Conditions Access is unrestricted.

Administrative History The first son in the third generation of a prominent Glaswegian architectural dynasty, and a contemporary of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, James Salmon (1873-1924) played a key role in the transition from traditional Victorian load-bearing masonry to the monolithic structural system of reinforced concrete. He developed a personal style that relied on artistic craftsmanship in sculpture and carving, and exploited contemporary innovations in glass, steel and concrete construction in his designs. James Salmon’s grandfather, also James Salmon (1805-1888), trained in the office of John Brash at Blythswood Square, Glasgow, and most probably set up practice during the 1830s. In 1868 James Salmon (senior) took into partnership his son William Forrest Salmon, who had trained in the office of James Smith (1808-1863), and James Ritchie (1835-1910) forming Salmon, Son & Ritchie. Ritchie left in 1872 and the practice was renamed James Salmon & Son. James Salmon (senior) and William Forrest gained inspiration from historical architectural styles, adapting and assimilating them to create original designs. The reputation of the firm, however, seems to have rested on their astute business sense and quality workmanship, rather than an innovative artistic vision. By the beginning of the twentieth century the practice had undergone a transformation in aesthetic outlook to become one of the most stylistically visionary in Glasgow, if not Britain. This was due in large part to the influence of James Gaff Gillespie (1870-1926) and James Salmon (junior), who joined the practice in 1891 and 1895, respectively. Gillespie had served a five-year apprenticeship with James Milne Munro (1840-1921) and studied architecture at Glasgow School of Art. In 1889 he shared the Glasgow Institute of Architects prize with Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and is said to have had a natural talent for architecture. James Salmon (junior) had served his apprenticeship with William Leiper (1839-1916), working under the direction of William James Anderson on projects such as the Templeton Carpet Factory, Glasgow Green (1888-1892). He studied at Glasgow School of Art and travelled extensively within Europe. The two young architects were brought together under the tutelage of William Forrest, sparking a period of intense creativity. Significant projects from this era include, ’The Hat Rack,’ 142a-144 St Vincent St, Glasgow (1898-1900) and The Lion Chambers, Hope Street and Bath Lane, Glasgow (1904), both notable for creative design and innovative use of diminutive plots of land. Salmon and Gillespie seem to have taken individual responsibility for specific projects, whilst maintaining a fluid exchange of ideas. Gillespie’s buildings are marked by simplicity and Arts & Crafts directness, whereas Salmon’s designs show an affinity with continental art nouveau. Both architects were close friends of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, and the two practices were major proponents of ‘The Glasgow Style’. In 1898 James Salmon’s younger brother Hugh Alexander Salmon, who had trained briefly as an architect but chosen instead a career in agriculture, moved to New Zealand. James wrote regularly to his brother over the next thirteen years, updating him of events in architecture and Glasgow society. The letters offer an insight to the life of one of the most original architects working in Scotland at the turn of the nineteenth century and trace the most prolific years of his architectural career. The building of the Salmon family home, Rowantreehill, Kilmacolm (1897-8), and ‘The Hatrack,’ is effectively diarised, showing that public opinion was very much divided on some of Salmon’s more progressive designs. In 1911 William Forrest Salmon died and in 1913 Gillespie and Salmon dissolved their partnership by mutual consent. James set up practice on his own as James Salmon & Son and then James Salmon FRIBA, carrying out mainly domestic and hospital work. He pursued architectural and social issues, especially the plight of the working classes, social reform and the tax laws, but died in 1924 at the age of 50.

Accruals No further accruals are expected.

Accession Number 2005/50, 2020/43

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