Sydney Decimus Kitson was born in Roundhay, Yorkshire, England on 26 June 1871. After studying at Trinity College, Cambridge, he was articled to Edward John May (1853-1941) from 1893 to 1895. He then worked as an assistant to William Douglas Caroe (1852-1938) in 1896.
He commenced independent practice as an architect in 1897 and from 1897 to 1903 was in partnership with Francis William Bedford (1866-1904) as Bedford & Kitson. In 1914 Kitson formed a partnership with his chief assistant, James Parish (1875-1933). William Armitage Ledgard (1889-1963) joined the firm in 1919 and Noel Pyman (1904-1970) became a partner in 1929. Thereafter, the practice was known as Kitson, Parish, Ledgard & Pyman.
Kitson was responsible for the design of many bank and office premises throughout Yorkshire and the North of England for Lloyds' Bank Ltd., The Midland Bank Ltd., and Martins' Bank Ltd. He also designed several hospital buildings in the Leeds area. His work for the Leeds Corporation include Dewsbury Road Library and Police Station, and Tramways Depots at Guiseley and Beckett Street, Leeds.
Kitson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1906 and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries in 1907. He was also a Fellow of the Society of Architects (FSA) and a member of the West Yorkshire Society of Architects of which he was President from 1910 to 1912.
He died in Ploughley, Oxfordshire, England on 1 July 1937
In partnership with the late F. W. Bedford, F.R.I.B.A, the following buildings: — Leeds Board of Overseers offices; "Brahan", Perth; "Westwood Croft, Leeds; banks for the Yorkshire Banking Co. at Thlrsk. Hunslet, Ripon, York, Middlesbrough; St. Aldan's Vicarage, Leeds; All Hallows Vicarage, Leeds; Police Station and Free Library. Dewsbury Road, Leeds; Leeds School of Art; Leeds Public Dispensary; Shadwell Grange, Leeds; Redhill, Leeds; Red Court, Scarborough; additions to Carr Manor, Leeds; Red House, Chapel Allerton; Webton Court, Chapel Allerton. Since Mr. Bedford's death In 1904, the following works: — Alterations and additions to Dumbleton Hall, Glos; banks for Lloyds Bank, Limited, at Vicar Lane, Leeds, Hunslet, Doncaster, Morley, Saltaire, Keighley. South Shields, Armley, Bradford; Scarcroft Grange, Leeds; Kirkdale Manor, Kirby Moorside; Wydale House, Pickering; Rillington Manor, Malton; parish halls at Halton, Chapel Allerton, and st. Aldan's, Leeds; Sunday schools at St. James Church, Leeds, and St. Clement's Church, Leeds; banks for the London City and Midland Bank at Scarborough, Armley, Ilkley, and Hunslet; Leeds Maternity Hospital; Ripon Spa Hydro Hotel; hostels for the Leeds Training College; business premises, Brlggate, Leeds; business premises, Inflrmary Street, Leeds; additions to Leeds Infirmary; alterations to Wormington Grange, Worcs; bottling stores, stables, and workshops at the Brewery, Leeds; alterations and decorations 3, Cadogan Square, S.W.; alterations to Haylewood Cattle, Tadcaster; house at Cloughton. Yorks; alterations and additions to Fox Hill, Westwood ; village hall and cottages at Barmoor, Northumberland [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1914]
Armstrong, Barrie and Armstrong, Wendy. The Arts and Crafts movement in the North East of England: a handbook. Wetherby, England: Oblong, 2013 p.181
Armstrong, Barrie and Armstrong, Wendy. The Arts and Crafts movement in Yorkshire: a handbook. Wetherby, England: Oblong, 2013 p.266
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
Stamp, Gavin. The English House 1860-1914. Catalogue of an exhibition of photographs and drawings. London: InternationalArchitect and the Building Centre Trust, 1980 p. 62
Who's Who in Architecture 1914. London: Technical Journals Ltd., 1914