Name

Robert Walker Aitken

Designation
architect
Born
1839
Place of Birth
London
Location
Manchester
Died
1909

  • Born : 1839
  • Baptism : 29 December 1839
  • Died : 1909

 Robert Walker Aitken, was born in Oxton, London, the son of Robert Shaw Aitken, silversmith, and Margaret Walker and was christened on 29 December 1939. Following the death of his father, he was articled to John Dick Peddie and Charles George Hood Kinnear of Edinburgh about 1856. He is believed to have moved to Manchester in early 1860 and was certainly in attendance at the inaugural meeting of the Manchester Architectural Association, held on 17th December 1860, which was reported at length in the Builder. Both Robert Walker Aitken and his elder brother, George Shaw Aitken (qv) were founder members, of the Association, the latter becoming its first President.  By 1861 Robert W Aitken was living at 7 Marlborough Terrace, in the Chorlton-on-Medlock district of Manchester, together with his mother, Margaret Aitken, his brother George Shaw Aitken and an unmarried aunt, Ellen Walker. However, in 1864 the brothers were recorded as living at Hassendean Cottage, Monton, near Eccles, but only Robert W Aitken was listed as an architect in the Trades Directory for that year (G S Aitken presumably still being employed as an assistant). Their decision to move to this still rural location some six miles from Manchester has yet to be explained.In 1866 the brothers jointly designed an Independent Chapel and Schools in Altrincham but the following year Robert Aitken joined W R Corson in partnership in Manchester, G S Aitken subsequently returning to Scotland. The Corson /Aitken partnership seems to have been dissolved about 1879 or 1880. Henceforth Aitken practiced alone but he is not listed in the Trades Directories as having an office in Manchester after 1883.

In 1867 Robert Aitken married Mary Cussons at Manchester Cathedral. They lived at the Cliff, Broughto, Salford. 1875 he was elected representative of St John's Ward in the Salford Council. by 1881 they were living at Hayfield in Derbyshire. The census also records four sons and one daughter all at that time under the age of 10. and in 1901 he and his wife were living in Worsley Road, Patricroft near Eccles. Robert Walker Aitken died in 1909.

Address
1864    R W Aitken, architect, Monton, Manchester (Kelly Lancashire Directory Pg 579 -trades)
1866    R W and G S Aitken. Eccles (Builder)
1868-9    St James's Square Chambers, 10, St James's Square, Manchester (Slater)
1871    St James's Square Chambers, 10, St James's Square, Manchester (Slater)
1874    Corson & Aitken 10 St James Square, Manchester (Slater)
 1875    Corson & Aitken 10 St James Square, Manchester (Slater)
1879    Corson & Aitken 10 St James Square, Manchester (Slater)
1880    Robert Walker Aitken MSA. Duchy Chambers 2 Clarence Street (Slater)
(Also Supplement to British Architect 29 October 1880)
1881    Robert W Aitken, architect 2 Clarence Street, Manchester (MG 21 May 1881 page 14)
1883    Robert W Aitken MSA 10 St George’s Chambers Albert Square, Manchester (Slater)
1886    No entry

Residence
1861    7 Marlborough Terrace, Chollton-on-Medlock, Manchester (Census)
1864    R W Aitken, Hassendean Cottage Monton near Eccles (Kelly Lancashire)
1866    R W and G S Aitken. Eccles (Builder)
1868    Robert W Aitken, architect, (Corson & Aitken). 43 Burgess Terrace. Hyde Road
1871    Robert W Aitken, architect, (Corson & Aitken). 43 Burgess Terrace. Hyde Road
1876    Robert W Aitken, (Corson & Aitken) “Rosmore,” 390 Lower Broughton Road, Higher Broughton
1879    Robert W Aitken, (Corson & Aitken) “Rosmore,” 390 Lower Broughton Road, Higher Broughton
1880    “The Cottage,” Hayfield, Derbyshire (Slater)
1881    ”Higher Cliffe,” Hayfield, Derbyshire, (1881 Census)
1891    No listing in Manchester directory
1900    No listing (Manchester Suburban Directory)
1901    Robert W & Mary Aitken - Eccles (1901 Census)

Although the street numbering on Lower Broughton Road has been changed, “Rosmore” appears to be the substantial semi-detached house at the corner with Back Hope Street. The house remains, now in the Cliff Conservation Area of the City of Salford

Partnerships

Name Designation Formed Dissolved Location
Aitken GS and R W Architectural practice 1866 1866 Monton near Eccles
Corson and Aitken Architectural practice 1867 1879 Manchester