John Russell Walker was born in Monimail, Fife, Scotland in 1847 and was articled to was articled to David Rhind (1808-1883) in Edinburgh from c.1863 to c.1868. He then worked as an assistant to James Cubitt (1836-1912) in London from c.1868 to c.1870; and in the office of Robert Morham (1839-1912), Edinburgh City Architect from c.1871 to c.1873.
Walker commenced independent practice in Edinburgh in c.1873 and between c.1875 and c.1881 was in partnership with James Sutherland (c.1833-1881?) in Edinburgh as Sutherland & Walker.
Walker was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) in 1882. He died in Duddingston on 25 July 1891.
Work by Walker and by Sutherland & Walker included Newton School School and Schoolhouse in Bridgend, Argyll (1878); Viewforth United Presbyterian Church and hall in Edinburgh (1881); tenement and shops at Lawnmarket in Edinburgh (1884); and Victoria Hall in Linlithgow (1888). The practice also designed a number of private houses in Edinburgh.
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