Arthur Forman Balfour Paul facts for kids
Arthur Forman Balfour Paul (born August 7, 1875 – died June 3, 1938) was a talented Scottish architect. People sometimes called him "Baffy" Paul. He designed many buildings in the early 1900s, especially in Edinburgh, Scotland.
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His Life Story
Arthur was born in Edinburgh on August 7, 1875. His father, Sir James Balfour Paul, held a very important job in Scotland as the Lord Lyon King of Arms. This role was about official ceremonies and family histories for important Scottish families. Arthur was also a second cousin to the famous writer Robert Louis Stevenson.
His Education and Early Career
Arthur went to school at Edinburgh Academy from 1885 to 1892. After that, he became an apprentice (like an intern) to a famous architect named Sir Robert Rowand Anderson until 1896. He then studied art and design at the School of Applied Art, which later became Edinburgh College of Art.
In 1895, he traveled to Belgium and the Netherlands to learn more about architecture. In 1897, he explored England for three months.
In 1898, Arthur got a job in London at the office of architect John Belcher. While there, he also joined the London Scottish Regiment as a piper. In 1903, he moved back to Edinburgh and became a business partner with his former teacher, Robert Rowand Anderson.
In 1905, he married Jane Prichard Montgomerie-Fleming.
Serving in World War I
Because of his military background, Arthur joined the army as an officer during the First World War. He served as a major in the Royal Engineers. He was very brave and was given two special awards: the Military Cross from Britain and the Croix de Guerre with Gold Star from France.
After the war ended in 1919, he returned to work with Robert Rowand Anderson. Sir Robert retired because he was not well, so Arthur became the only partner in the architectural firm.
New Partners and Later Years
In 1931, two young architects, Basil Spence and William Kininmonth, started working for Arthur. They shared a job as draughtsmen (people who draw building plans). By 1934, both of them became partners in the firm, which was then called Kininmonth, Spence and Paul.
Arthur Paul passed away at his home in Edinburgh on June 3, 1938.
What He Built
Arthur Forman Balfour Paul designed many different types of buildings. Here are some of his notable projects:
- Science building at Dollar Academy (1910)
- Sanatorium (a health facility) at Fettes College (1911)
- Dining Hall at Edinburgh Academy (1911)
- St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh (1912)
- McNeill House, a home in Edinburgh (1913)
- Planning for new housing areas in Edinburgh, like the Braid Estate and Fettes Trust lands (Comely Bank)
- Chemistry Building at the University of Edinburgh, King's Buildings (1919)
- Loanhead War Memorial (1920)
- Scottish Rugby Union War Memorial at Murrayfield, Edinburgh (1920)
- Modernizing the inside of Cakemuir Castle (1926)
- A house at 22 Kinnear Road, Edinburgh (1928)
- Kimmerghame House at Fettes College (1928)
- A Church of Scotland building in Edinburgh (1934, no longer standing)
