Robert Magill Young was born in Westmeath, Athlone, Ireland on 6 March 1851. He was articled to his father, Robert Young (1822-1917), in Belfast in 1866 and subsequently worked as his assistant. He also studied at Belfast Royal Academy, Queen's University of Ireland, and at the Government School of Art in Belfast.
He commenced independent practice in Belfast in 1872 and from 1880 was in partnership with his father and John Mackenzie (1844-1917) in their practice Young & Mackenzie. Following the death of his father and Mackenzie in 1917 he continued to run the practice, with the name unchanged, in partnership with his son, James Reid Young (1884-1967).
Robert Magill Young was elected a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (FRIBA) in 1907. He was also a member of the Belfast Architectural Association, Royal Irish Academy, Fellow and Vice-President of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland, and the Ulster Society of Architects, and its President on a number of occasions.
From an early age Young contributed papers on antiquarian and architectural subjects to various learned societies. He wrote an account of the Antiquities in Bute (1870) for his uncle Dr. James Bryce's "Geology of Arran". Edited the Town Book of the Corporation of Belfast (1613-1816) in 1892, which was followed by "Ulster in '98", published In 1893. "Historical Collections relative to Old Belfast", 1898, and "Belfast and the Province of Ulster in the Twentieth Century", 1908.
He died at his home, Rathvarna, Chichester Park, Belfast, on 19 November 1925
In connection with Young & Mackenzie has carried out many Presbyterian Churches in Belfast and throughout Ulster. Various schools, Including Belfast Royal Academy, the Presbyterian Assembly Hall Buildings; several Insurance blocks of offices, Including Scottish Provident Building, Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd., both in Donegall Square. Many manses throughout Ulster; large shops and warerooms, Including Messrs. Robinson & Cleaver, John Fulton & Co., Ltd., Anderson & McAuley. Ltd., W. Dobbin & Co., Ltd., J. & J. Haslett, Ltd. Numerous private mansions and villas. The firm have been architects and civil engineers to various public bodies, and at present are engaged in work for Belfast Poor Law Guardians and Belfast Corporation. For both bodies they have erected large hospitals. [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1914]
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Works: Many Presbyterian churches, schools, and manses throughout Ulster; the Presbyterian Assembly Hall; Belfast Royal Academy; offices of the Scottish Provident Institution; and Ocean Accident and Guarantee Corporation, Ltd. Extensive warehouses in Belfast and Londonderry; many private mansions and houses; several large hospitals for Belfast Corporation, and various Poor Law authorities. [Source: Who's Who in Architecture 1923]
For a detailed list of architectural projects by Robert Magill Young see the Dictionary of Irish Architects 1720-1940 - Young & Mackenzie [link 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
Harron, Paul. Architects of Ulster: Young & MacKenzie – A Transformational Provincial Practice 1850-1960. Belfast Ulster Architectural Heritage Society, 2016. [ISBN 9780900457807]
Who's Who in Architecture 1914. London: Technical Journals Ltd., 1914
Who's Who in Architecture 1923. Edited by Frederick Chatterton. London: Architectural Press, 1923