Patrick Thoms


Patrick Hill Thoms FRIBA ARIAS was a 20th-century Scottish architect, based in eastern Scotland.

Life

He was born on 27 September 1873 in Kilmacolm the son of Thomas Smith Thoms from a family of Angus farmers and solicitors. He was educated at Harris Academy in Dundee. In 1889 he was articled to Charles Ower to train as an architect in Dundee, alson taking formal classes at Dundee Technical Institute and University College Dundee.
After training he joined the office of Thomas Cappon as an architectural assistant, later running his Brechin office. William Gillespie Lamond followed him from Ower's office to Cappon's and was a great influence on his style and development.
In 1898 he began lecturing in Architecture at Dundee Technical Institute and helped to found the Dundee College of Art.
In 1901 he went into partnership with William Fleming Wilkie, setting up office at 18 Commercial Street, Dundee. Quickly flourishing they moved to larger offices at 46 Reform Street in 1904. In 1921 the firm moved to 21 South Tay Street, taking over the offices of the late Cpt. William Walker. Wilkie withdrew from the practice in 1923 and continued alone in St Andrews.
In 1927 he went into a new partnership with Donald Ross, previously his chief assistant, still at the South Tay Street office. In 1934 he formed a new partnership with his nephew, Thomas Thoms.
He died at home, Grey Walls at 452 Perth Road in Dundee on 11 January 1946. He is buried with his wife in the Western Cemetery, Dundee. The grave lies against the second upper terrace, towards the west.

Family

In 1906 he was married to Ida Louise Gordon, eighteen years his junior. Following marriage he moved from Grayburn to Braefoot in Monifieth. They moved back to Dundee in 1929. They did not have children.
His nephew Thomas Thoms followed in his footsteps and was trained in his office. Although not immediate, he re-acquired Grey Walls as a family home after Patrick's death. He served as President of the RIAS 1957/8 amd 1959/60.

Main Works