James Archibald Morris [also known as James A. Morris] was born in Ayr, Scotland on 14 January 1857 and was articled to Andrew Lindsay Miller (1847-1903) in Glasgow from 1873 to 1878. He also studied at Glasgow School of Art, the Royal Academy Schools in London, and at the Slade School of Fine Art, University College, London in 1879-80.
He commenced independent practice as an architect in Ayr in 1880 and from May 1885 to May 1896 was in partnership with James Kennedy Hunter (1863-1929) as Morris & Hunter in Ayr. During this period, Morris was also in partnership with Alfred Chastel de Boinville (1850-1897) in London from 1891 to c.1896. From May 1896 onwards Morris worked as an independent architect with offices in Ayr and Glasgow. In 1930 he was appointed to the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland
Morris was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1881 and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1889. He was also elected a member of the Art Workers Guild in 1892, an Associate of the Royal Scottish Academy (ARSA) in 1916, and a full member of the Royal Scottish Academy (RSA) in 1931.
Morris was the author numerous publications on Scottish history and culture. He died in Ayr on 8 November 1942
Art Schools, Ayr Academy; remodelling and extension, Ayr Academy; St. Ninian's Episcopal Church, Troon; Red House, Ayr; St. John's, Wallacetown; Hinton House, Northamptonshire; Conheath House, and private chapel, Dumfriesshire ; Savoy Park, Ayr; preservative work, Crossraguel Abbey, Ayrshire; Old Brig of Ayr; Greenan Castle, Ayrshire; Memorial Gateway, Girvan; Balgarth, Ayr; Savoy Croft, Ayr; church and domestic furnishings, and craftsman's work; Glenburn, Prestwick; Golf Club House, Prestwlck. [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1914]
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See also Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660-1980 [link below]
Close, Robert. ‘Attainable ideals: James A Morris 1857-1942’. Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society Newsletter, Spring 1988, pp. 5-7
Cumming, Elizabeth. Hand, heart and soul: the Arts and Crafts movement in Scotland Edinburgh: Berlinn Limited, 2006 [ISBN 10: 1-84158-419-3]
Directory of British Architects 1834-1914. Compiled by Antonia Brodie, et al. Volume 2: L-Z. London; New York: British Architectural Library, Royal Institute of British Architects/Continuum, 2001
The Glasgow Style 1890-1920. Glasgow: Glasgow Museums and Art Galleries, 1984
Nicholl, James. Domestic architecture in Scotland : illustrations of Scottish domestic work of recent years. Aberdeen: Daily Journal Offices, 1908.
‘Obituary’. Architect & Building News vol. 172, 4 December 1942 p. 150
‘Obituary’. The Builder vol. 163, 27 November 1942 p. 468
‘Obituary’. RIBA Journal vol. 50, January 1943 p. 68
‘Obituary’. The Scotsman 19 November 1942 p. 4
Who's Who in Architecture 1926. Edited by Frederick Chatterton. London: The Architectural Press, 1926