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.

Life

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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