John Keppie

John Keppie (4 August 1862 – 28 April 1945) was a Glasgow architect and artist. From an early age he was a close friend of Edward Atkinson Hornel and would often bring in New Year with him in Kirkcudbright. Within the architectural profession, he was closest to John Archibald Campbell, and is credited with training Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Biography The imposing red sandstone offices of the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Company on Govan Road, which from 2013, will form the Fairfield Heritage Centre.

Keppie was born in Glasgow, the fourth son of John Keppie, a wealthy tobacco importer and Helen Cuthbertson Hopkins. Articled, in 1880, to Campbell Douglas and Sellars, he attended classes at both University of Glasgow and the Glasgow School of Art. Three of his siblings including Jessie Keppie also studied art. He also appears to have enrolled at the École des Beaux-Arts in 1885, remaining there until 1886. An accomplished draughtsman, he won silver medals in the Tite Prize competitions of 1886 and 1887. He assisted Sellars with the firm's winning entry for the Glasgow International Exhibition of 1888. His design for Martyrs' Public School was also executed during this time (1895-1898).

Keppie never married. He died at his home in Prestwick in 1945.

1888 - Anderson's College of Medicine, "setting-up" commission from Douglas Campbell. Built in the French Renaissance style. 1889 - expansion of Craigrownie parish church, Kilcreggan. 1890 - designed an Egyptian-style granite monument in honour of James Sellars at Lambhill cemetery, for whom he was assistant at the time. 1891 - extending nave of a church in Rhu. 1893 - remodelling of Glasgow Herald building (Attributed to Mackintosh). 1906 - 307-33 Hope Street. for the Glasgow City Improvement Trust. 1908 - Glasgow Savings Bank, Parkhead. 1910 - Gallery at Broughton House, Kirkcudbright. 1927 - Glasgow Trades Hall refurbishment. 1934 - Croftwood Parish Church

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