Thomas Rutherford was born Cleish, Kinross-shire, Scotland. He was articled to Thomas Hyslop Ure (1863-1913) in Dunfermline, Fife from 1896 to c.1902 and remained with him for a further year as his assistant. In 1904 he was employed as an assistant to Andrew Muirhead (c.1872-1907) in Dunfermline. Following Muirhead's death in 1907 Rutherford took over his practice which he named Muirhead & Rutherford as a mark of respect to his former employer.
Rutherford was admitted a Licentiate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (LRIBA) in 1931 and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1932.
Rutherford's address was given as 92 Victoria Terrace, Dunfermline, Fife in 1932; and 5 East Port, Dunfermline, Fife in 1931 to the early 1950s. He died on 30 November 1958.
See: Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660-1980 [link below]