Philip Appleby Robson [also known as P. A. Robson] was born in Liverpool, England in 1871, the son of the architect Edward Robert Robson (1835-1917). He was articled to John Loughborough Pearson (1817-1897) in London in 1888, following which he spent a year with him as an improver. He also studied at Blackheath School of Art. In 1896 he qualified as an architect.
He worked in the office of his father, and in the Home Office, the Scottish Office, and other Government departments, before establishing his own independent practice in London in 1894. He later also practised in East Grinstead, Sussex, and in Manchester. He was in partnership with William George Percy from c.1928.
Like his father, Robson specialised in the design of school and college buildings. Among those he designed were St. Gabriel's College in Camberwell (1899-1903); Eastbourne School of Art and Technical College (1903); and the High School for Girls in Rotherham, Lancashire (c.1910). He also designed ; Church of St Andrew, Lewisham (1903-4). He was the author of a number of books including School Planning (1911), and Architecture as a Career (1929).
Robson was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1897, and a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1915. He was also a Fellow of the Manchester Society of Architects. He retired from professional practice in 1935
Robson's address was given as Palace Chambers, 9 Bridge Street, Westminster, London in 1896 and 1899; St. Stephen's House, Victoria Embankment, London in 1914 and 1939; and 21 Dartmouth Road, London in 1934 and 1939. He died in London on 14 November 1951
Eastbourne Technical Institute (comprising Free Library, Science and Art Schools, Fire Station, and Electric Showrooms) for the Corporation; Leeds, Cowper Street Schools (for 1,540 children); St. Gabriel's Training Coll., Camberwell; St. George's Schools, Hanover Square (South West); Technical Institute, Walworth, S.E.; St. John's Schools, Clapham, S.W.; St. Mary's Schools, Minister Square, N.W.; St. Thomas's Schools, Oxford, etc., etc. Church work at Lewisham, Walworth, Camberwell Grove, Egerton, Rusthall, Kidbrooke, Lockers Park, E. Grinstead, etc. Houses at Chiddingfold, Lingfield, Dormansland, Dormans Park, Mayfair, Rotherhithe, Brentford, Battle, Selsey, E. Grinstead, Marlow, Fordcombe, New York, Winchester. Pavillons at Blackheath, Chislehurst, E. Grinstead. Business premises. High Holborn, Eastbourne and E. Grinstead, and numerous other designs [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1926]
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Jones, David Gregory. ‘Towers of learning’. Architectural Review June 1958 pp. 293-298
'Obituary'. RIBA Journal April 1952 p. 230
Who's Who in Architecture 1926. Edited by Frederick Chatterton. London: The Architectural Press, 1926