James Salmon


1873 - 1924

Architect. Born in Glasgow into a family of architects, he was the grandson of another James Salmon (1805-88). He was educated at the High School of Glasgow and then Glasgow School of Art, where he gained similar Celtic influences to Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868 - 1928). Salmon trained in the family practice and with William Leiper (1839 - 1916), touring Europe after he qualified.

Noted for his innovative designs, Salmon's most famous buildings are in Glasgow; the Mercantile Chambers on Bothwell Street (1898), which was at the time the largest steel-framed office block in the city; the art nouveau St. Vincent Chambers (The Hatrack; 1902), another early steel-framed construction which makes extensive use of glass, and the Lion Chambers (1905), an early reinforced concrete building. All of these are now A-listed. His later work was mostly domestic, although he designed wood-panelling for the battlecruiser HMS Repulse and battleship HMS Royal Oak in 1916.

His father died in 1911, but had taken on John Gaff Gillespie (1870 - 1926) who became senior partner. Salmon left the practice two years later and set up on his own. The family firm evolved to become the notable modernist architectural practice Gillespie, Kidd & Coia.

He died at his home in Jane Street (Blythswood Square, Glasgow) and is remembered as an architect who pushed the limits of expression further than any of his British contemporaries.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better