Burgess, Cecil Scott

Burgess, Cecil Scott

Cecil Scott Burgess was born in Mumbai, India in 1870 to James Burgess, Director of the Archeological Survey. The Burgess family returned to Edinburgh, Scotland the following year. Between the years 1887 and 1891, Burgess studied at the Royal High School in Edinburgh. He graduated with a gold medal. Burgess then studied architecture as an articled pupil to Sir George Washington Browne. He completed a four-year apprenticeship, a contemporary British standard, from 1892 to 1896. After completing his apprenticeship Burgess was admitted as an Associate of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Following his apprenticeship Burgess worked in architecture in Edinburgh, York, London, and Liverpool. He also continued to refine his skills by traveling to Europe and studying and sketching the notable buildings, designs and works of art across the continent. In Italy in 1903, he encountered the Edinburgh architect Percy Nobbs. Nobbs was about to accept a position to teach at McGill University in the Faculty of Engineering. After viewing Burgess's work, Nobbs encouraged him to move to Montréal where he would find opportunities as a draughtsman. Burgess the moved to Quebec, and worked on several projects including the Boys Farm and Training School at Shawbridge, Quebec and several Montréal homes. In Montréal, Burgess began his lifelong public advocacy of the Arts and Crafts design movement through public lectures and study groups. He delivered talks at the Province of Quebec Association of Architects and spoke public forums such as the St. James Literary Society and the Grand Trunk Literary Institute. Burgess also taught courses at McGill between 1909 and 1911. After Nobbs recommended Burgess to H.M. Tory, the first president of the newly formed University of Alberta, Burgess became a Professor of Architecture. He superintended the design of university buildings and design courses for the university's Department of Architecture. Burgess designed Pembina Hall and the original six staff residences now known as the Ring Houses. He served as the supervising architect for the Arts building (1915), designed the south wing of the University Hospital, University Farm buildings and cottages and the Varsity Rink, the University ice arena (1927). Burgess also designed versions of the University crest, furniture, and various items of ceremonial regalia for official University occasions. In addition to campus designs, Burgess helped design numerous buildings such as Edmonton Natural Resources Building (now the Bowker Building) for the Provincial Government, the Birks Building and numerous private houses, memorials, and small design items across Alberta. Burgess also taught several courses at the University. His teaching responsibilities included courses on architecture, town planning for civil engineering students, history courses, and an architecture option for senior arts students. After serving in with the Canadian Expeditionary Force in World War I from 1916 to 1919, Burgess returned to teaching. In addition, Burgess taught for the Department of Extension, gave radio talks, wrote articles on politics and design for local newspapers, and lectured to a variety of groups in the city. Burgess also served on numerous associations and committees including the following: Vice-President of the Edmonton Town Planning Commission since 1929; President of the Alberta Association of Architects in 1923 and 1924; Fellow the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada in 1930, a Fellow the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1933. In 1958 he received a Doctor of Laws from the University of Alberta. In 1939, the University closed the Department of Architecture. Burgess taught until the end of the school year and retired. After retirement, he began a private architecture firm. The firm designed small hospitals across Alberta and gave town planning advice to communities in Alberta. Burgess died in Edmonton, November 12, 1971.

Provincial Archives of Alberta