History
ALEXANDER 'Greek' THOMSON (1817-1875) Glasgow's other great architect. Not yet awarded the international status of Mackintosh, but recognised as a unique talent whose contribution to the architecture of the city is immeasurable and whose remaining works, in the light of what has been lost, merit careful preservation. He was born in Balfron, Stirlingshire, and despite the absence of a formal education, the young Thomson secured work in a lawyer's office before joining an architectural practice.
His output was prolific and he produced a remarkable portfolio of work such as Moray Place (1859) and the Grosvenor Building (1859); the stunningly original villas of "Holmwood" (1857), "Ellisland" (1871) and 25 Mansionhouse Road (1856); the powerful streetscape of Queen's Park Terrace (1857) in Eglinton Street; and the landmark churches on Caledonia Road (1856) and St. Vincent Street (1859). Thomson poured his creative energies into the Queen's Park U.P. Church (1867) and Great Western Terrace (1867) - this work finally securing him the approval of his peers.
