Item NMC/0375.073 - Design for a building of the arts

Eugene Bourdon was born in Paris on 16 July 1870 and educated at the Condorcet Lycée, receiving the degree of Bachelier-des-lettres in 1888. He then spent eight years at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris studying the atelier, where he was awarded many medals and prizes. After obtaining his diploma, Bourdon went on to employment in the French Government as an inspector for the Exposition Universelle. In 1900 Bourdon travelled to New York, but little is known or has been recorded about this time in the US. Upon returning to France, Bourdon soon received his invitation from Glasgow to teach, and was later appointed the first Professor of Architectural Design at the new Glasgow School of Architecture in 1904. Steadily improving and expanding under his leadership, Bourdon's impact was widely recognised at GSA. The drawings in the collection date from Bourdon's time as a student, bringing them over with him as examples for GSA students. He returned with enthusiastic patriotism to military duty for France in 1914. As Capitaine à l'État Major, Bourdon was soon in active service on the Western Front, but was killed in action at the Somme on the evening of 1st July 1916. Glasgow School of Art Archives and Collections holds a stained glass memorial to Bourdon by Robert Anning Bell. Bourdon is also listed on the School's World War One Roll of Honour. If you have any more information, please get in touch.