William Wallace (died 1631) was a
Scottish master
mason and
architect
An architect is a person who plans, designs and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
. He served as King's Master Mason under
James VI
James is a common English language surname and given name:
*James (name), the typically masculine first name James
* James (surname), various people with the last name James
James or James City may also refer to:
People
* King James (disambiguat ...
.
From 1615, Wallace is known to have been the leading mason working on the King's Lodgings at
Edinburgh Castle. On 18 April 1617 he was appointed King's Master Mason, holding this post until his death. Wallace was commissioned in 1618 to rebuild the north range of
Linlithgow Palace, which had collapsed in 1605. He was responsible for design as well as building, and executed the new range in an Anglo-Flemish style, which he helped to popularise in Scotland.
[Colvin, p.862]
He followed this with works to
Winton House, near
Pencaitland, for
George Seton, 3rd Earl of Winton
George Seton, 3rd Earl of Winton (December 1584 – 17 December 1650) was a notable Royalist and Cavalier, the second son of Robert Seton, 1st Earl of Winton and 6th Lord Seton, by his spouse Margaret, daughter of Hugh Montgomerie, 3rd Earl of Egl ...
, which he undertook from 1620 to 1627.
[Buildings of Scotland:Lothian by Colin McWilliam] In 1621 he was made a
burgess of Edinburgh, and later served as
Deacon
A deacon is a member of the diaconate, an office in Christian churches that is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. Major Christian churches, such as the Catholic Chur ...
of the Edinburgh Masons Lodge. From 1628 until his death Wallace was engaged on the design and construction of
Heriot's Hospital
George Heriot's School is a Scottish independent primary and secondary day school on Lauriston Place in the Old Town of Edinburgh, Scotland. In the early 21st century, it has more than 1600 pupils, 155 teaching staff, and 80 non-teaching staff. ...
, a school, again in the Anglo-Flemish style. He was almost certainly the principal designer of the building, which was continued after his death by William Aytoun.
One of Wallace's last works was carving the monument to
John Byres of Coates
Sir John Byres of Coates (1569–1629) was a 16th/17th century Scottish banker and merchant who served as Treasurer and Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Old Provost for Edinburgh Town Council. Old Provost is the equivalent of Deputy Provost.
By ...
in
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Greyfriars Kirkyard is the graveyard surrounding Greyfriars Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located at the southern edge of the Old Town, adjacent to George Heriot's School. Burials have been taking place since the late 16th century, and a num ...
, Edinburgh, unpaid for at his death, and his will also includes debts for works at
Moray House for the
Countess of Home.
In addition,
Pinkie House
Pinkie may refer to:
Biology
* Pinky finger or little finger
* Pinkie, a baby mouse used as a food for exotic pets
* Bilby or pinkie, an animal in Southern Australia
* Pinkie, a rosemary cultivar
People
* Pinkie Barnes (1915–2012), English ...
and the original, unexecuted, design for
Drumlanrig Castle
Drumlanrig Castle is situated on the Queensberry Estate in Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The category A listed castle is the Dumfriesshire home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch and Queensberry. It is open to the public at set times.
Co ...
have been attributed to Wallace on stylistic grounds, although no documentary evidence exists to confirm his involvement.
References
*Colvin, Howard '' A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840'' John Murray, 1978, citing will, National Archives of Scotland.
Master Masons to the Crown of Scotland
Year of birth missing
1631 deaths
17th-century Scottish people
17th-century Scottish architects
Burgesses in Scotland
Scottish stonemasons
People of Linlithgow Palace
Foto by die eerste
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