John More Dick Peddie


(John More Peddie)

1853 - 1921

Architect. Born John More Peddie in Edinburgh, the son of another architect, John Dick Peddie (1824-91), he was educated at the Edinburgh Academy, the Real Schule (Elberfeld, Germany) and the University of Edinburgh, while undertaking an apprenticeship with his father's architectural practice. The name 'Dick' appears to have been adopted by the family c.1870.

One of the most prolific Scottish architects of his time, Dick Peddie built commercial, public and ecclesiastical buildings, together with private houses, and was responsible for modifying many others. These were mostly in Scotland, but with occasional commissions in England and Ireland. He worked as assistant to Sir George Gilbert Scott (1811-78) in London, but rejoined his father's firm in 1875, becoming a partner three years later, alongside Charles George Hood Kinnear (1830-94). During this time the practice was responsible for the Longmore Hospital (1880), New Town branch of the Bank of Scotland on George Street (1881), rebuilding Cortachy Castle following a fire (1884) and a scheme for the restoration of St. Mary's Collegiate Church (Haddington, 1886). From 1886 to 1906 Dick Peddie worked in partnership with Sir George Washington Browne (1853 - 1939). Finally he worked alongside William James Walker Todd (1884 - 1944). Other notable buildings were Bo'ness Town Hall and Library (1901), the grand and prominently located Caledonian Hotel in Edinburgh (1903), Edinburgh College of Art (1906), Scottish Provident Building (Glasgow, 1908) and Dumfries County Buildings (1911), together with numerous bank branches, manses and public housing blocks for East Lothian County Council.

Peddie was also a Director of the Edinburgh Tramways Company, Scottish Equitable and the Scottish Investment Trust. He retired in 1920 and died at his home in Edinburgh the following year. His funeral was held in St. John's Episcopal Church, a church which he had been responsible for extending and enhancing. He lies buried in Dean Cemetery.

His firm continues as Dick Peddie & Mackay, while its vast archive of plans was purchased by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Scotland in 1999.


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