Edinburgh City Architect. The son of Edinburgh's Depute City Clerk of the same name, Morham lived in his family home at Lauder Road throughout his life. He was educated at Newington Academy and the Royal High School, but trained as an architect under David Rhind (1808-83) and David Bryce (1803-76). After a few years gaining experience in London, Morham returned to Edinburgh and became assistant and then partner to David Cousin (1809-78). He was appointed City Architect in 1873.
Although his work was mostly confined to Edinburgh, an amount is of national significance, for example remodelling of the interior of St. Giles Kirk (1871), the principal interiors and arcade-front of Edinburgh City Chambers (1875 and 1899) and the ornamental ironwork on North Bridge (1897). He was also responsible for laying out Princes Street Gardens as a public park after the City Corporation took over the ground from the residents of the street. His other works included several fire stations, the best being the former Lauriston Place Fire Station (1901), police stations, schools, swimming baths and the City Hospital, now converted to housing. Morham's style was Neo-Renaissance, with signature wide-jointed ashlar arches and the use of red sandstone rather than the yellow-cream sandstone traditionally found in Edinburgh, allowing public buildings to be immediately identified.
Morham lies buried in Morningside Cemetery.
