Sydney Mitchell

About

Arthur George Sydney Mitchell (7 January 1856 – 13 October 1930) was a Scottish architect. He designed a large number of bank branches, country houses, churches, and church halls. His most significant commissions include the housing developments at Well Court and Ramsay Garden, both in Edinburgh.

Mitchell was born on 7 January 1856 in Larbert, Stirlingshire, the only son of Margaret Hay Houston and Dr Arthur Mitchell. His father was Commissioner in Lunacy for Scotland, Chairman of the Scottish Life Assurance Company, President of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, and was a director of the Commercial Bank of Scotland. After private tutoring, Mitchell attended the University of Edinburgh, and completed his training in the office of Robert Rowand Anderson, where he was articled from 1878 to 1883.
From being an apprentice, Mitchell went into professional practice in 1883, using family contacts to gain commissions, and having a prestigious office bought with his family’s wealth at 122 George Street. George Wilson, whom he had worked with at the office of Robert Rowand Anderson, came with him as his assistant, despite being 12 years his senior. They had a lifelong relationship…