David Smart (architect)

David Smart (1824 – 13 October 1914) was a Scottish architect, prominent in the second half of the 19th century.[1][2] His design genre varied between municipal buildings, schools and churches, but he worked almost exclusively in Perthshire.[1]

David Smart
Born1824
Died13 October 1914
Kinnoull, Perth and Kinross, Scotland
NationalityBritish
OccupationArchitect

Early life

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Smart was born in Alyth, Perth and Kinross, in 1824.[1]

Career

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Although it is not known with whom he first apprenticed, he worked for many years in the office of David Bryce.[1] It is rumoured that a disagreement in that office resulted in Smart leaving to take over the practice of William Macdonald Mackenzie from his widow in 1858. The quarrel was settled amicably.[1]

By the late 1870s, Smart was worked with a relative, James Smart, who was his partner from around 1887. Their firm was D & J Smart.[1] The partnership was dissolved shortly before the turn of the century, possibly due to the readmission of James Smart's son, John (born 1872), to the practice.[1]

David retained the office at 42 Tay Street (part of the Victoria Buildings) in Perth, while James opened his at 28 York Place as James Smart & Son.[1]

In 1907, David Smart began a partnership with his senior assistant Donald Alexander Stewart (born 1876), who had been articled to Smart since 1892. The firm became known as Smart & Stewart.[1]

Smart retired around 1911 at the age of 86.[1]

Selected notable works

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Perth's Balhouse Castle, which Smart significantly expanded in the 1860s
 
Brand's Building, 1–3 South Street, Perth

Personal life

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Smart was married to Margaret Morrison, with whom he had three daughters.[1] One of his daughters was Jane Greig Smart, who died in 1952.[6]

Smart's nephew, James, also became a noted architect.[7]

Death

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Smart died on 13 October 1914, aged 90, while living at Rockbank in Kinnoull.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l David Smart - Dictionary of Scottish Architects
  2. ^ Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland: A Graphic and Accurate Description of Every Place in Scotland, Francis Hindes Groome (1901)
  3. ^ RHP44887National Records of Scotland
  4. ^ 4 York Place, The Lodge, Including GatepiersHistoric Environment Scotland
  5. ^ Perth, South Street, GeneralCanmore
  6. ^ Mosley, Charles, editor. Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knightage, 107th edition, 3 volumes. Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.A.: Burke's Peerage (Genealogical Books) Ltd, 2003
  7. ^ "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (May 25, 2022, 1:49 am)". www.scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 25 May 2022.