17 Facts About Hippolyte Blanc

Best known for his church buildings in the Gothic revival style, Blanc was a keen antiquarian who oversaw meticulously researched restoration projects.

Hippolyte Blanc was born at 37 North Frederick Street in Edinburgh, third son of four children, to French parents who ran a business on George Street importing and manufacturing ladies' shoes.

Hippolyte Blanc met Hippolyte's mother, Sarah or Sartia Bauress, whilst living in Dublin and moved to Edinburgh around 1840.

Hippolyte Blanc attended George Heriot's School, winning the dux medal in 1859, and was then articled to the architect David Rhind.

Hippolyte Blanc married Elizabeth Shield on 21 August 1873, and they moved to 12 St Vincent Street.

For much of his career Hippolyte Blanc's office was at 40 Frederick Street, extremely close to his parental home and their shop.

Hippolyte Blanc left the Office of Works in 1878 to concentrate on his increasing workload, and by 1887 he had taken on a partner, James Gordon.

Hippolyte Blanc executed numerous church buildings, including Kirkliston Free Church, St Luke's, Broughty Ferry, Coats Memorial Baptist Church, Paisley, St Matthew's Parish Church and Morningside Free Church, Edinburgh, now the Church Hill Theatre.

Hippolyte Blanc carried out restoration work to Edinburgh Castle, John Knox House, St Cuthbert's Church, Edinburgh, and St Duthac's Church, Tain.

From 1893 to 1898 his nephew, Louis David Hippolyte Blanc, trained under him.

Blanc's eldest son, Victor Hippolyte Blanc, chose to be a dentist rather than an architect.

In 1871 Hippolyte Blanc was elected president of the Edinburgh Architectural Association for the first of three times.

Hippolyte Blanc became a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland in 1879, a fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1901, and was elected to the Royal Scottish Academy in 1896.

Hippolyte Blanc wrote and lectured extensively, largely on the subject of medieval church architecture.

Hippolyte Blanc was active in encouraging the careers of younger architects, and acted as assessor on several architectural competitions.

Hippolyte Blanc died, aged 72, from pneumonia at his home at 17 Strathearn Place, Morningside.

Hippolyte Blanc was buried in Warriston Cemetery in its lower section, just south of the vaults, southeast of the monument to James Young Simpson.