Item NMC/1017 - The Grissell Prize: A dance hall

James Wright was born on 13 July 1910, the son of John Henry Wright, building contractor, and his wife Marion Lambie. He attended evening classes at Glasgow School of Architecture from 1930 to 1935, whilst undertaking office experience for four years. He continued with the diploma course, attending day classes at the School from 1935 to 1937. He passed the Professional Practice exam in December 1936 and obtained his diploma in June 1937. He was admitted ARIBA on 6 December the same year, his proposers being Thomas Harold Hughes, William James Smith and William Cowie. At the time of his application for admittance he was working in the office of Alexander Mair in Ayr, and was living in Troon. His nomination papers state that he had previously made measured drawings of Kilwinning Abbey and studied recent work in Germany. he worked for Noad & Wallace Architecture, Glasgow, and later setup his own business, Wright & James Builders Ltd, Troon.
Wright died at the County Hospital, Ayr, 15 March 1987, survived by his wife, Annie Gilmour Barr Hunter.