James Smith Richardson was born in Edinburgh, Scotland on 2 November 1883 and was articled to James Macintyre Henry (1852-1929) in Edinburgh from c.1899 to 1903. He also attended the School of Applied Art in Edinburgh. He then worked as an assistant to Robert Stodart Lorimer (1864-1929) in Edinburgh from 1903 to c.1909. In 1909 Richardson commenced practice as an independent architect at 19 Randolph Place, Edinburgh. With the outbreak of World War One in 1914 he closed his practice and after working briefly part-time as Inspector of Ancient Monuments in H M Office of Works, he served as a commissioned officer in the Royal Scots in Ireland and France.
Richardson resumed practice in 1919 and the following year formed a partnership with John Ross McKay (1884-1962) as Richardson & McKay in Edinburgh. They remained in partnership until 1942 During these years Richardson also worked full-time as Inspector of Ancient Monuments in H. M. Office of Works, and from 1920 to 1946 taught part-time at Edinburgh College of Art.
After retiring from H. M. Office of Works he continued to practice as a consultant. In 1953 the Royal Scottish Academy made him honorary Professor of Architecture. He died in North Berwick, Scotland on 12 September 1970
See: Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660-1980 [link below]
A. R. C. ‘Obituary. James Smith Richardson’. Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland vol.192, 1969-70 pp.vii-x
McEwan, Peter J.M. Dictionary of Scottish Art & Architecture. Woodbridge, Suffolk, England: Antique Collectors’ Club Ltd., 1994