John Balfour Symington Abercrombie [commonly known as Balfour Abercrombie] was born in Paisley, Scotland on 17 June 1879. After working as an apprentice joiner for a year he attended Glasgow School of Art from 1898 to 1905. During these years he was also articled to James Miller (1861-1947) in Glasgow from 1899 to 1904, and remained with him as his assistant until 1906.
Abercrombie commenced independent practice as an architect in Glasgow in 1906 and was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1910. He designed a number of private houses mainly in the Glasgow area. He also designed the Moorpark United Free Church in Renfrew, and a laundry, and workmen's cottages for Brockwood Estate [now Brockwood Park] in Winchester, Hampshire.
In October 1915 Abercrombie closed his architectural practice and joined the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders as a private. He died on 31 July 1916 as a result of injuries he incurred whist serving in France and is buried at the Dantzig Alley British Cemetery, Mametz, Departement de la Somme, Picardie, France.
"Landale", Troon; alterations and additions to Sundrum, Ayr; Model Farm and Dairy, Kilmacolm; alterations and additions to Dunard, Paisley: Moor-park U.F. Church, Renfrew; alterations and additions to St. Evox, Troon; alterations to Brockwood Park, Hampshire; new stable and garage. Electric Power Laundry, and workmen's cottages, Brockwood Estate, Hants; alterations and additions to Gleniffer Lodge, Paisley; alterations to Kelly House, Wemyss Bay, Renfrewshire (c.1906); alterations and additions to Chapel House, Paisley (1912); Landale, a country house in Troon, Ayrshire (1908); alterations to Sundrum Castle in Sundrum, Ayrshire (1908);
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 1: A-K. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001