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Title

Fonds consists of

7 lower level description(s)

Arrangement structure

Accession

Frederick John Alexander collection [graphic material]

Date(s)

1868-1908

Place of creation

No place, unknown, or undetermined

Extent

Language of material

English

Scope and content

Fonds consists of diaries, 1868-1887 (also available on microfilm, reels C-12916 to C-12917); miscellaneous documents, n.d., 1869-1908; and specifications for buildings and articles of agreement, 1875, 1880-1901. Fonds also consists of photographs of Alexander by Notman and Topley Studios of Ottawa, Ont. Some of the most important documents of the Alexander fonds are undoubtedly the 220 architectural drawings of houses built in downtown Ottawa between 1880-1906, designed after the styles in fashion in England during that period. These large family dwellings, often called villas, were inspired by the various influences characteristic of the Victorial style, making this collection a valuable source for the history of Canadian domestic architecture. It also contains plans of commercial buildings, schools and fire halls. Alexandar worked in South Africa from 1878 to 1885, and the collection contains a number of plans from that period. Also included are 600 illustrations from the British magazine "The Building News" and another hundred from "The Canadian Architect and Builder". In addition, Alexander participated in the renovation of the Parliamentary Library between 1872-1877. The fonds also contain three maps.

Conditions of access

Terms of use

Photographs: No restrictions. Copyright expired. Credit: name of photographer / Library and Archives Canada / PA- . Architectural, technical drawings: Please consult lower level descriptions. Credit: Library and Archives Canada. Cartographic material: Please consult lower level descriptions. Credit: Library and Archives Canada.

Finding aid

Textual records The finding aid is a file list of his diaries and architectural projects in alphabetical order. MSS1172 90 (Electronic)
http://data2.collectionscanada.gc.ca/pdf/pdf001/p000001842.pdf

Photographs FA-194 90 (Paper)

Photographs Some item level descriptions are available in the MINISIS database. (Electronic)

Architectural, technical drawings Please consult lower level descriptions. 77803/8. 90 (Paper)

Creator / Provenance

Alexander, Frederick John, 1849-1930.

Biography / Administrative history

Frederick John Alexander was educated in London, England before coming to Canada in 1870. He worked for Messrs. Langley, Langley & Burks from 1870 to 1872, leaving to join the Department of Public Works in Ottawa. In 1877 he immigrated to South Africa where he conducted business prior to and during the Zulu and Boer wars. He returned to private architectural practice in Ottawa in 1885 and resumed working for the federal government. He designed a number of residential, commercial and public buildings in Ottawa.

An evangelical and imperial federationist, Alexander believed in public ownership and government paid commission rather than election.

See: The Canadian Album, vol. IV, p. 275.

Additional information

Subject heading

1. Frederick John Alexander - Diaries, 1868-1887
2. Architectural Institute of Canada, n.d., 1869-1908.
3. Frederick John Alexander - Career in architecture, 1868-1887.
4. Ottawa (Ont.) - Preliminary examinations (Criminal procedure), n.d., 1869-1908.
5. Ottawa (Ont.) - Buildings, 1875, 1880-1901.
6. Ottawa (Ont.) - Architecture, 1875, 1880-1901.
7. Architecture, 1875, 1880-1901.
8. Pietermaritzburg (South Africa) - Buildings, 1875, 1880-1901.
9. Deeds, 1875, 1880-1901.
10. Architects - Canada, 18-

Source

Private

Other system control no.

MAINS22446

Related control no.

1979-297 NPC

MIKAN no.

103879