John Gilmour papers

Curriculum vitae; family photograph; evening class certificates; weaving class notebooks; testimonial; press cutting about J.A. Gilmour & Co Ltd.

John Anderson Gilmour was the nephew of Mary and Margaret Gilmour, two of the "Glasgow Girls", who ran a successful art studio in Glasgow teaching women arts and crafts. Gilmour began his career in 1920 at William Anderson & Co Ltd, Glasgow, where he worked until 1929. While working, he also attended the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, 1924-1927, taking evening classes in textiles. In 1929, he joined Thomas Brown (Carlisle) Ltd as a textile designer, becoming factory manager in 1934. From 1938 to 1942, he set up the furnishing fabrics department at Whitworth & Mitchell Ltd, Manchester. This was followed by war service in the Royal Navy, 1942-1946. In 1946, he set up the furnishing fabrics department at J.H. Birtwistle & Co Ltd, Manchester. In 1949, he established his own business, John A. Gilmour & Co Ltd, at Troqueer Mills in Dumfries, producing furnishing fabrics mostly for the upholstery trade. In 1957, following a takeover of the company by his co-directors, he became manager of furnishing fabrics at Whitworth & Mitchell Ltd, Manchester. In 1959, he joined Bartons (Manchester) Ltd, where he was responsible for production and selling. In 1968, he became area organiser of charity fundraising for the National Society for Cancer Relief, London. He retired in 1974.

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John Anderson Gilmour was the nephew of Mary and Margaret Gilmour, two of the "Glasgow Girls", who ran a successful art studio in Glasgow teaching women arts and crafts. Gilmour began his career in 1920 at William Anderson & Co Ltd, Glasgow, where he worked until 1929. While working, he also attended the Royal Technical College, Glasgow, 1924-1927, taking evening classes in textiles. In 1929, he joined Thomas Brown (Carlisle) Ltd as a textile designer, becoming factory manager in 1934. From 1938 to 1942, he set up the furnishing fabrics department at Whitworth & Mitchell Ltd, Manchester. This was followed by war service in the Royal Navy, 1942-1946. In 1946, he set up the furnishing fabrics department at J.H. Birtwistle & Co Ltd, Manchester. In 1949, he established his own business, John A. Gilmour & Co Ltd, at Troqueer Mills in Dumfries, producing furnishing fabrics mostly for the upholstery trade. In 1957, following a takeover of the company by his co-directors, he became manager of furnishing fabrics at Whitworth & Mitchell Ltd, Manchester. In 1959, he joined Bartons (Manchester) Ltd, where he was responsible for production and selling. In 1968, he became area organiser of charity fundraising for the National Society for Cancer Relief, London. He retired in 1974.

Created by Victoria Peters, July 2010.

Papers of John Anderson Gilmour including Jacquard and dobby weave fabrics from John A Gilmour Ltd 1950s, hand painted towel designs from Bartons (Manchester) 1960s, Ardil fibre made from peanut shells by ICI 1950s, photographs of Troqueer Mill 1950s, newscuttings (Ref: GB 0582 JAG) (Heriot Watt Archives)

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