John Alexander Ogg Allan was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on 9 May 1870 He was articled to Duncan McMillan (1840-1928) and John Ross McMillan (1867-1959) of D. & J. R. McMillan in Aberdeen from 1895 to 1890 and remained with them as an assistant until 1892. He also attended Robert Gordon's College and Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen.
From 1892 to 1895 he was employed as an assistant to J. Garvie & Sons, manufacturers of agricultural equipment in Aberdeen, and was then Clerk of Works to Aberdeen School Board from 1895 to 1897.
In 1897 he was appointed architect to Aberdeen Education Authority a position he held until 1905. He was subsequently in private practice in Aberdeen. In 1912, his younger brother, Joseph Anderson Allan (1882-1956) joined him as his chief assistant and later became a partner in the practice. In 1945 their chief assistant, David John Alexander Ross (1895-1975), was made a partner in the practice which became Allan, Ross & Allan. Throughout the history of the practice they specialised in the design of educational buildings. The schools they designed in the 1930s were influenced by the Modernist movement.
Allan was elected a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1912 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1915. He died in Aberdeen on 24 or 25 May 1955
Central Higher Grade School, Aberdeen; Old Aberdeen, Woodside, Frederick Street, St. Clement Street, Victoria Road, Sunnybank and Ruthrieston Schools, Aberdeen : also many enlargements and reconstructions of educational buildings. Peterhead Academy; new Training College for Teachers, for North of Scotland, etc.
For an additional detailed list of architectural projects by John Alexander Ogg Allan see the Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660-1980 [link below]
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