Item DC 100/2 - Student thesis on Scottish architectural influences

Sidney Wesley Birnage (sometimes misspelled Birnade) was born on 23 Sep 1911. He was the son of Joseph Birnage, cashier, and Helen Foster.

Sidney articled for the firm of H. & D. Barclay in January 1929, carrying out preliminary university studies in building construction. David Barclay of H. & D. Barclay was a Governor of The Glasgow School of Art. He eventually transferred to the office of William Baillie in November 1932 and in that year commenced the certificate course at The Glasgow School of Architecture, now known as the Mackintosh School of Architecture. Whilst pursuing these studies, Birnage joined Glasgow Corporation Education Department in August 1935. Whilst there, he passed the final exam in late 1936 and was admitted as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (ARIBA) on 6 Mar 1937. His thesis titled "The Foreign Influence on Scottish Architecture of the 16th and 17th Centuries," was completed in May 1937. His proposers for the ARIBA were William James Smith, Daniel Walter MacMath, and Colin Sinclair. Sinclair wrote in his supporting statement "I know that he was a student of the greatest diligence and of high excellence in the various branches of his studies." Birnage was also an Associate of the Glasgow Institute of Architects. He was an architect consultant for Lanarkshire Builders Limited. In the 1960s, he opened his own business titled Birnage & Dickson as a partner and worked on the St Andrews Church in Glasgow.

He died aged 72 on 4 May 1984, his last address being 42-44 Union Street, Stonehouse, Lanarkshire. He was married twice, first to Nancy Jenkins and second to Jean Ahlers. He was survived by his second wife and at least one daughter.