James Salmon

Who was James Salmon?

James Salmon was a Scottish architect, who practiced mainly in Glasgow. One of his most famous buildings is "The Hatrack" 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 and Jessie Alexander, and grandson of architect James Salmon. 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. 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 was now a partner. He worked on designs for the Mercantile Chambers in Bothwell Street, and was himself made a partner in 1898.