Thomson, Alexander (1817-1875: architect)

In 1864, the University of Glasgow, Scotland, awarded the architectural commission to build a new university campus on Gilmorehill to the west of the city centre to the English architect, George Gilbert Scott ( 1811-1878 ). Scott had already completed a number of notable buildings in London and his appointment was controversial with many local people feeling that the commission should have been awarded to a local architect. Upon his appointment, the University committee peppered Scott with advice and in March 1866 the plans for the new buildings were approved. Building began in earnest in 1867 and although building work was disrupted by strikes and the unexpected discovery of a coal seam, the buildings were handed over to the University in the Summer of 1870, although some buildings were still incomplete. The University finally vacated it previous High street premises in July 1870, handing the old site over to a rail way company for development.

One of the most outspoken of objectors to Gilbert Scott's appointment and neo-gothic design was Alexander Thomson, known to his contemporaries as 'Greek' Thomson. On the 7 May 1866 he delivered a paper to the Glasgow Architectural Society entitled 'An inquiry as to the appropriateness of the Gothic Style for the proposed buildings for the University of Glasgow, with some remarks upon Mr Scott's plans.' This paper was later printed in the Society's Transactions (1865-7) and reprinted in the University of Glasgow's College Courant: the Journal of the Glasgow University Graduates Association vols.12-13 (1954).

Mischael Moss, J Forbes Munro and Richard H Trainor, University, City and State: The University of Glasgow since 1870 ( Edinburgh , 2000 )