H & D Barclay


Hugh Barclay and David Barclay FRIBA were Scottish architects operating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries under the name of H & D Barclay. They specialised in the design of schools and colleges, but also did considerable municipal and church work.

Hugh's Life

He was born on 8 February 1829 in Kilmarnock the eldest son of Hugh Barclay, sculptor by his first wife. He trained as an architect under William Spence.
He was briefly in a partnership known as Barclay & Watt, but in 1871 he set up with his brother in partnership as H & D Barclay based at 112 West Regent Street in Glasgow city centre.
He died at home, 6 Buckingham Street in Glasgow, on 25 November 1892. He is buried in the Glasgow Western Necropolis. He was married to Helen Thomson and they had three children. The company name continued long after his death and did not expire until 1942.

David's Life

He was born in Glasgow the son of Hugh Barclay, sculptor, by his second wife. In early life his family lived at 45 Taylor Street.
In 1861, aged 14, he was article to his much older brother, Hugh Barclay, who was already an architect. The slightly older James Sellars trained alongside him.
He was a Governor of the Glasgow School of Art and twice President of the Glasgow art Club.
He died at 437 Crow Road in Glasgow on 13 July 1917, aged 71. He is buried near the summit of the Western Necropolis in Glasgow.

Family

He was married to Jane Ewing Walker, eldest daughter of John E. Walker of Kelvinside. David Barclay died only a few days after his wife. They had three daughters and one son.

Works