Patrick Hill Thoms was born in Kilmacolm, Scotland on 27 September and was articled to Charles Ower (1849-1929) and Leslie Ower (1851-1916) of C. & L. Ower in Dundee in 1889. He also took classes at Dundee Technical Institute and University College. After completing his apprenticeship, Thoms worked as an assistant to Thomas Martin Cappon (1863-1939) from 1894 to 1898, during which time he managed Cappon's Brechin office for two years. In 1898 Thoms set up his own practice at 18 Commercial Street, Dundee. He also began lecturing in architecture part-time at Dundee Technical College and School of Art.
In 1901 he formed a partnership with William Fleming Wilkie (1876-1961) as Thoms & Wilkie. Whilst the partnership appears not to have been formally dissolved, Wilkie had effectively withdrawn from the practice by 1925. In 1927 Thomas took his chief assistant, Donald Ross into partnership, although the name of the practice remained unchanged. In 1934 Thoms' nephew, Thomas Hill Thoms, joined the firm as a partner.
Patrick Hill Thoms was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1906. He died on 11 January 1946
U.F. Churches at Edzell, 1901; Kirriemuir, 1903; and Newburgh, 1905. Muirhead of Liff Public School, 1912. Kinpumie Castle, Newtyle, 1910, and additions, Gartmore House, Perthshire, 1912, for Sir Charles W. Cayzer, Bart. Residences at Dundee, Baldragon, Newtyle, Barnhill, Crail, Monifieth (1905-23). Additions to houses at Dundee; Drumgarth, near Dundee ; Coupar Angus; and Blairgowrie (1916-22). House, Farington Street, Dundee, 1923, for A. C. Little, Esq. Business premises: — Lochee Cabinet Factory, 1910; Scott Street Works, Dundee, 1913; Milton Hill, Muirfirth, 1920; restaurant and tea rooms. Reform Street, Dundee, 1921; Lytton Street Bakery, Dundee, 1921; Lochee Bedding Factory, 1922. War Memorials at Dundee (1921): — Morgan Academy; 4th Black Watch; and Wallacetown Parish Church. [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1923]
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For an additional list of architectural projects by Thoms 1895-1946 see Dictionary of Scottish Architects 1660-1980; and Historic Environment Scotland [links below]
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
‘Obituary’. The Scotsman 12 January 1946 p. 3
Who's Who in Architecture 1923. Edited by Frederick Chatterton. London: Architectural Press, 1923