Samuel Bell (architect)

Samuel Bell (1739–1813) was a Scottish architect mainly associated with the town of Dundee. He was the prime shaper of the city centre and in particular the Nethergate.

The Steeple Church, Dundee

Life
Nethergate House, Dundee
Morgan Tower, Nethergate, Dundee
Miln's Building, Nethergate, Dundee
Theatre Royal Dundee

He was born on 6 May 1739, the son of John Bell, a wright in Dundee and originally trained as a wright himself. In this role he would have worked with local architects from 1755 to 1770. He then became an architect and received many local commissions from 1770 onwards.[1]

He was the first person to be officially Town Architect for Dundee.[2] His most important commission in terms of prestige was the major rebuilding of Dundee's primary church: the Steeple Church.[3]

He died on 23 January 1813 and is buried in The Howff burial ground in Dundee.[4]

Main works

All works are in Dundee unless otherwise stated.

  • St Andrews Church (1772) working with James Craig
  • Trades Hall (1776)
  • English Episcopal Chapel (1783)
  • St Clements Church (1786) later renamed the Steeple Church
  • Forfar Parish Church (1788)
  • "Miln's Building" at 136 Nethergate (1790)
  • Morgan Tower, 133-139 Nethergate (1790)
  • Town house for Alexander Riddoch (1790) now known as Nethergate House
  • Sailor's Home (1790)
  • Trinity House (1790)
  • Lintrathen manse (1795)
  • Tannadice manse (1797)
  • Duntrune Mill (1799)
  • Aberlemno Parish Church (1799)
  • Theatre Royal (1808)
  • Kinnettles Parish Church (1811)
  • St Rule's Church, Monifieth (1812)

The Theatre Royal still exists as a frontage; at 7 to 21 Castle Street[5] Nethergate House also survives.[6]

Family

Not known

References
  1. "Dictionary of Scottish Architects - DSA Architect Biography Report (July 22, 2021, 4:24 am)".
  2. The Dundee Book by Billy Kay
  3. "Outline History".
  4. "Stone No.570". Tombs of the Dundee Howff. Dundee Howff Conservation Group. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  5. Historic Environment Scotland. "7-21 (Odd Nos) Castle Street, Former Theatre Royal (LB25001)".
  6. "Nethergate House from the Gazetteer for Scotland".
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