Baird, Thomas

Person

Baird, Thomas

1862-1953

Thomas Baird was born at 277 Eglinton Street, Glasgow on 29 May 1862, the son of Thomas Baird, insurance clerk, and his wife Ann Gordon. He was educated at the Southern Academy and studied mathematics with a James Lindsay at his school in Cathedral Street and also under a Mr Ness at the Glasgow Athenaeum. He was articled to John Gordon from 1876 to 1881 and attended The Glasgow School of Art. He taught building construction at the Athenaeum in 1881-1887, commencing practice in the latter year first as head draughtsman and then as a partner with John Gordon. Though Baird's name does not appear in the practice title he remained in partnership with Gordon until the early 1900s. In 'Building Industries' 17 December 1917 (re: alterations to the Alexandra Hotel) Thomas Baird was described as having been with the practice for twenty-five years (i.e. since the beginning of his articles in 1876). That he was a partner is confirmed by their joint names appearing on the Dean of Guild drawings for Strathbungo Public School of 1893-5: he appears as 'Thomas Baird Junior' in the Post Office directories of this date. He left the Gordon's practice in or about 1903 when one of Gordon's sons became a partner along with David Woodburn Sturrock as Gordon Son & Sturrock.
Baird was elected FRIBA on 11 June 1906, his proposers being David Barclay, John Keppie and Horatio Kelson Bromhead. His office at that date was 134 Bath Street and he remained there into the 1920s, maintaining a branch office at what was probably a holiday house in Dunoon from 1909 until 1915. His cinemas showed him to be a very talented designer, the Picture Salon having a splendid Moorish façade with glazed tiles and an advanced ferro-concrete structure.

The Dictionary of Scottish Architects: http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/architect_full.php?id=100110