James Kennedy Hunter [also known as J.K. Hunter] was born the son of Andrew Hunter, a builder, in Ayr, Strathclyde, Scotland, in 1863. After studying architectural drawing from 1878 to 1880, and training as a surveyor (1880), he trained as an architect with John Mercer in Ayr (1880-83). He was then an assistant to James Archibald Morris from 1883 to 1885 first in Ayr and later in London, where he was responsible for running Morris's office. Hunter was subsequently in partnership with Morris from 1885 to 1896. In 1896 Hunter returned to Scotland and later that year established his own independent practice in Ayr.
Hunter was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1906. He was president of Glasgow Institute of Architects in 1926-27. Between 1898 and 1919 Hunter exhibited at the Royal Academy in London, the Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh and at the Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. He died in Ayr on 13 February 1929.
Architectural projects by Hunter included the Industrial School for Girls in Ayr (1896), Cairn Public School in Maybole, Ayrshire (c.1896), Ayr Town Hall (1898), Corsock Free Church in Corsock, Kirkudbrightshire, Scotland (1901), Morrison Congregational Church in Ayr (1901), Portpatrick Hotel in Portpatrick, Wigtownshire, Scotland (c.1904), Carnegie Free Library in Maybole, Ayrshire (1905), additions to Ayr County Hospital (c.1906), the reconstruction and extension of Ayr Grammar School (1908), Biggart Memorial Home for Cripple Children in Prestwick, Ayrshire (1908), Ayr Pavilion (1910), and Ayr War Memorial (1924).
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For an additional list of work by Hunter see 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
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 136, 22 February 1929 p. 370
‘Obituary’. RIBA Journal vol. 36, 13 April 1929 p. 449