Edwards, Sidney James 1887 - 1953

Sidney James Edwards [also known as S. J. Edwards] was born in London, England in 1887. After studying at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, he was articled to Henry Thomas Gordon (c.1845-1922) and Josiah Gunton (1861-1930) of Gordon & Gunton. He also attended the Architectural Association Schools in London from 1909 to 1911, and the Royal Academy Schools in London from 1912 to 1920.

Edwards qualified as an architect in 1911 and subsequently commenced practiced in London until the early 1920s. His address was given as Finsbury House, Blomfield Street, London in 1912; 3, Powis Square, Bayswater, London in 1912 and 1914; and Hillbury, Harrow-on-the-Hill, Middlesex [now London] in 1920.

He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1912, and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1924.

In c.1923 he moved to Singapore where, with the South African-born architect Ralph Cumming Stanbury Booty (1885-1963), he formed the architectural partnership Booty & Edwards on 7 September 1923. The following year the practice opened an office in Colombo, Ceylon [now Sri Lanka] to where Edwards moved. By 1930 Herbert Henry Reid (1895-1952) had joined the partnership which was renamed Edwards, Reid & Booty, with an office at Eastern Bank Building, Chatham Street, Colombo, Ceylon.

Edwards remained in Ceylon until at least 1936.  By 1939 he had returned to England. His address was given as 5 and 6  Ewell House Grove, Ewell, Surrey in 1939 and 1953.  He died at Hotel Stuart, Richmond Hill, London on 14 March 1953.