John Keppie RSA 1862-1945

John Keppie was born in Glasgow in 1862 and died at his home at Haddington Park, Prestwick, on 28th April, in his 83rd year. He was educated at Ayr Academy, Glasgow University, and, in his profession as architect, at the Atelier-Pascal, Paris.

His first practical work in architecture was in the office of Campbell, Douglas & Sellars ; in 1888 he actedas assistant in the plans of the International Exhibition held in Glasgow that year. He was associated with Dr. John Honeyman, R.S.A., in the restorationof Linlithgow Church and Brechin Cathedral, and the construction of many important buildings in Glasgow, among them the School of Art, in which the original genius of Charles Rennie Mackintosh was given full scope.

Latterly he was the principal partner of the firm of John Keppie and Henderson.

Mr. Keppie was a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects, and had been President of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland, the Glasgow Institute of Architects, the Glasgow Architectural Association and the Glasgow Art Club. He was on the board of the Glasgow Schoolof Art for twenty-six years before becoming its Chairman in 1930, and had founded the “ John Keppie Scholarship ” in architecture and sculpture.

In 1920 Mr. Keppie was elected an Associate of the Academy and a full Member in 1937. In addition to his architecture Mr. Keppie was a painter, etcher and draughtsman, and exhibited these works regularly. His Diploma Workis of buildings in Sauchiehall Street, in pencil. We are indebted to his generosity for the beautiful bronze of W. E. Henley, by Auguste Rodin. Mr. Keppie was unmarried.

RSA Obituary. Transcribed from the 1945 RSA Annual Report