John Allan Speir [also known as J. Allan Speir, and sometimes incorrectly as John Allan Spier*] was born in Cardiff, Wales on 31 May 1880 and practised as an architect in Cardiff from the late 1890s onwards. From c.1904 he was in partnership with Thomas Albert Beavan (1880-1920) as Speir & Beavan. Between c.1904 and 1908 they designed new branch libraries and reading rooms in Barry, Cathays and Canton in Cardiff and in Newport. Wales.
Cottages designed by Speir & Beaven are discussed and illustrated in Modern Cottages, Villas & Bungalows. A second series of Designs for Suburban & Country houses from £150 to £1,500 to build by Hugh B. Philpott (London: John Dicks Press Ltd., 1914 pp.18, 28).
Speir's address was given as 8 Cowbridge Road, Cardiff, Wales in 1901; 49 Stacey Road, Cardiff, Wales in 1911; and 31 Perryn Road, Acton, Middlesex in 1939. He died 7 Anglesmede Way, George V Avenue, Pinner, Middlesex on 28 September.
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* His birth registration and later census details confirms that his surname was Speir.
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 [Name incorrectly given as Spier, J. Allan]