William Henderson Duncan

• Born      4 January 1854 Dundee, Forfarshire, Scotland
• Died       17 February 1928 at Bonnybank, Oakenrod Hill, Rochdale             

William Henderson Duncan was born in Dundee on 4 January 1854, the son of George Duncan and Elizabeth Betts, and was educated at Dundee High School. He was articled to Alexander Johnston of Dundee in 1870 and on completion of his apprenticeship in 1874 joined John Carver of Meigle as assistant. Thereafter he worked as chief assistant in the offices of Robert Keith in Dundee and James Cheetham in Rochdale. He commenced independent practice in Rochdale in 1881 and was a partner in the Rochdale firm of Butterworth & Duncan by 1884. Duncan was elected FRIBA on 6 June 1904, his proposers being John Holden, James Diggle Mould and James William Beaumont. His work embraced board schools, ecclesiastical work, clubs, commercial buildings, villas and libraries, and he acted as assessor in several competitions for libraries and municipal buildings. He was also a Fellow of the Manchester Society of Architects. He travelled in Belgium, Norway, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria, and Italy.

For many years he was also director of Oswald and Duncan Limited, cotton manufacturers, in Rochdale. Representing the Liberal interest, he was a Councillor on the Rochdale Corporation for over ten years, part of the time as Chairman of the Paving and Sewering Committee, and later Chairman of the Tramways Committee.  In 1916 he became a JP. He was also a prominent member of Trinity Presbyterian Church.

In June, 1880 he married Margaret Patterson Whyte, daughter of William and Helen Whyte of Dundee, and had issue three sons and four daughters: Maggie, William Tees, George, Bella, Nellie, Ethel, and Edward Simpson.  He was joined in partnership by his son, William Tees Duncan (qv).

William Henderson Duncan died on 17 February 1928 at Bonnybank, Oakenrod Hill, Rochdale.

Address
1904: 4, South Parade, Rochdale.
1914: 2, Baillie Street, Rochdale.    

Residence   
1901: Rochdale
1911-1916: “Ingle Nook,” Bury Road, Rochdale (MSA Listing)
1928: Bonnybrook Oakenrod Hill, Rochdale

References
Who's Who in Architecture 1914        
RIBA BAL Biography file    
Dictionary of Scottish Architects
Tracy & Pike Lancashire at the Beginning of the 20th century Page 411
Lancashire Biographies and Roll of Honour 1917
Rochdale Observer 9 December 1916 page 6 with image

Archive:
 S Butterworth and Duncan, c1880 1960: drawings and records. Repository - Greater Manchester County Record Office.