John Starforth (1822-1898) was an English-born architect and architectural author associated solely with work in Scotland, mainly working in Lothian, Dumfries & Galloway, and the Scottish Borders.
Life
Greyfriars Church in DumfriesOld Parish Church, NairnMoffat churchPeebles Hydro
He was born in the town of Aukland near Durham in northern England, in July 1822 the son of John Henry Starforth or Starford, and his wife Elizabeth Moor.
He was apprenticed as an architect under Thomas Hamilton in the 1830s (based in Edinburgh (probably aged 14). Around 1840 he moved to the firm of Burn & Bryce, staying with David Bryce when William Burn left to set up in London in 1844.[1]
He set up an independent practice around 1850, specialising in churches and country villas and farmsteads. In 1864 he entered the competition for the Scottish National Albert Memorial (now in Charlotte Square). Although unsuccessful his drawings were displayed in the 1886 Edinburgh Exhibition on The Meadows.
He was married to Helen Henderson (d.1916). They had two daughters and three sons, including Robert H. Starforth, who continued his father's architectural practice but was of lesser note.
Helen moved to Ayr following her husband's death.
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