Sir William Hardie Kininmonth RSA 1904-1988

On the occasion of Sir William’s Funeral Service at Mortonhall Crematorium, Edinburgh, on Friday, 12th August, 1988, the large congregation heard the moving Eulogy delivered by his successor-in-office, Sir Robin Philipson. The narrative which follows is nothing other than the text of that oration amended but little, adjusted the better to suit the printed word and slightly expanded to enhance the record of a distinguished life dedicated to his Art—and service to others. E.G.

I feel privileged to be allowed to recall moments in the life of our colleague and friend, Sir William Kininmonth—Kinny to so many of us—and to remember with affection his Painter wife Caroline, so, through the marriage of her sister, incidentally, creating a warm relationship with his Architect brotherin-law, Professor Joe Gleave, A.R.S.A.

It seems to me that in the broad spectrum of their close lives one can trace an allegience to three dominant activities, which in turn helped to shape the pattern of living by which they will be remembered. First Architecture, in which he achieved both distinction and respect. Next, the City of Edinburgh at the centre of his life to which he gave so much of his time and skill. And third, the Royal Scottish Academy.

Born in Forfar in 1904 and following his schooling at George Watson’s College, William Hardie Kininmonth was trained in Architecture at the Edinburgh College of Art. After graduating he attended classes at the University of London while working for Sir Edwin Lutyens along with Basil Spence, thereafter to be, for a time, his partner in Edinburgh.

Subsequently he became the Senior Partner in the Edinburgh firm of Rowan Anderson, Kininmoth & Paul. During the war as a sapper officer he was involved in the rebuilding of bridges destroyed by the enemy in North Africa, Sicily and Italy. He acknowledged that from this experience he learned a great deal.

He once wrote: “Unlike a lot of architects, I believe architecture is primarily an art; in fact one of the great creative arts—in form posed between intuition and reason.” His counsel was that of a deeply creative man believing above all else that an architect's buildings must express both his personality and his sensitivity to the external influences surrounding him.

He has said, “most of us can only try and hopethat we will contribute something to the sum of endeavour. In truth he managed to do so, and architecturally Edinburgh has been enhanced by such buildings as Adam House and the Dental College both in ChambersStreet, the Offices of the Scottish Provident Institution in St. Andrew Square, three large schools and the impressive Halls of Residence in Salisbury Green—and of course the traumatic, and for the city the unflattering saga of the Opera House.

To be recalled was the impressive dignity and diligence with which he sustained what must have been both an immense shock and disappointment when both his appointment and completed scheme were shamefully scrapped. Those able to interpret will find in Peter Collins’, R.S.A., Portrait not only a striking likeness of a Past-President but why, in this position, Kinny wasthe victim of the shabby affair.

His second involvement—the City of Edinburgh and his service to it. For sixteen years dating from 1953 he was a busy member of the Dean of Guild Court. He was Chairman of the Princes Street Panel, watchdog over the development plansfor that great thoroughfare of the city centre, a commitment to preserve its dignity and its grandeur.

With a broader remit he served on the Royal Fine Art Commission for Scotland with both great energy and distinction. Within these capacities and when an occasion demanded it, his normal quiet demeanour could toughen with spectacular suddenness.

He had great ambitions for the city; that in a post-war period architecture would burgeon, rise to the occasion and take the lead in Britain. In the late 50’s he wrote a series of articles for the ‘Scotsman’ with clear, uncluttered language, schooling us on contemporary architecture in Scotland.

For two years he was President of the Edinburgh Architectural Association at the same time serving as a memberof Councils of the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

And finally, the Royal Scottish Academy of which Kinny was a member for almost 40 years. He was elected in 1949 and seven years later he became both Academician and Treasurer. He was canny with the Academy's resources. After a further seven years he became Secretary to Sir William MacTaggart—a great personalfriend. In 1969 he accepted the chain of office to become the Academy’s fifteenth President.

I feel that I should whisper that that day I becamehis secretary, for I sense I was not very efficient in office. Yet these years were rich years of growing friendship during which I learned to respect his shyness, his great ability, steadfastness and clear thinking and perhaps aboveall his wonderful sense of humour and fun.

I think Caroline loved every minute as the President's lady. Together they were superlative host and hostess, visits to their home being quite marvellous and memorable. With his dignity and gravity which must have inspired his many clients with confidence, even so, those of us who knew Kinny were well aware how, along with many of the best, he was nervous about making speeches; yet when it came to the bit he was excellent and always sharp to see the funny side.

On an occasion we were standing in line waiting to receive extremely important people, when in a quiet voice he said to me: “Shall we run away and hide?” Steadfastly he endeavoured to get to knowall his fellow members and little by little revealed his national and keen interest in all forms of art—even that which was ‘way out’. He was a very good President.

Knighted in 1972 he was succeeded in office the following year. He died, a widower, on 8th August, 1988 having been removed to hospital from his home—the home and refuge that he designed and built for his bride in the early ’30’s—one which is the subject of Sir William’s diploma work and is now accepted as a monumentto the spirit of that pre-war decade, the 30’s.

It is particularly gratifying that throughout these busy years his one child, Thelma, was growing up to realise her ambition to be a painter; we enjoyed having her in our School of Drawing and painting; then, in time she was to become wife to Richard Ewing and mother to Marie Clare and James. We are all most deeply conscious of what this day must mean to them as we convey our understanding and sympathy.

RSA Obituary written by Sir Robin Philipson RSA and amended by E.G. RSA. Transcribed from the 1988 RSA Annual Report