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Albert Louis Robertson (b. 26 February 1843, d. 18 November 1922)

Albert Louis Robertson (son of John Robertson and Elizabeth Sarah Nash) was born 26 February 1843 in Rotherhithe, Kent, London, and died 18 November 1922 in "Rotherhithe", Strathfield(reg. no: 16203. He married Isabella Spier on 28 June 1866 in Christchurch St Lawrence, Sydney, Australia, daughter of John Hill Spier and Harriet Nack Howard.

Notes for Albert Louis Robertson:
Christened 26 March 1843 at St Marys Rotherhithe London

Louis was Chief (or principal) Assistant Architect to James Barnet, the last Colonial Architect - acted at times as his deputy.

Barnet retired in 1890. W L Vernon, 1st NSW Government Architect.

Louis retired on a pension in 1897.

Excerpts from the magazine Architecture, January-March 1954

In 1857 to 1860 , Louis was 14 years old when he was apprenticed to the great Architect Edmund Blackett in Sydney. Little could it have been thought that from this event would stem the architectural firm Louis S. Robertson and Son in Sydney, in which in the middle of the twentieth century is playing their parts in modern Australian Architectural history. He stayed in Blacketts office for 3 years where he produced drawings of the north front of Sydney University and west front of Sydney's St Andrew's Cathedral; fine examples of draftsmanship from one so young.

In 1860 to 1864, Robertson received an appointment as assistant draftsman in the Government Railways Branch at the Munificent salary of one pound per week. Four years later, he received a substantial rise to 3 pounds per week when he achieved a post in the Colonial Architect's Office. The original document notifying him of his appointment still exists, as does the original house at 6 Charles Street, Sydney, to which it was delivered exactly ninety years ago. By coincidence, the document was signed by John Rae who was to leave a collection of views of early Sydney, including one showing a site on which a future Robertson was to erect a nine-Storey building of which we shall hear more later.

September 1864, aged 21 appointed clerk and draftsman in Colonial Architect's office, acting as required at times as Deputy to James Barnett.

In 1866, Robertson married Miss Isabella Spier, and on 5th August 1868 at 103 Buckingham Street, there appeared Louis Robertson the second, who was for obvious reasons more fully Baptised Louis Spier Robertson. Some years later appeared another embryo architect, John Hill Robertson.

In 1890, Louis Robertson, the first, stayed for three year in Edmund Blackett's office, where he produced still existing drawings of the north front of Sydney University and the west front of Sydney's St. Andrew's Cathedral, fine examples of draftsmanship from one so young.

This was the last change of office Robertson was to make because he stayed with Colonial Architect, rising to the position of Chief Assistant Architect. He almost certainly would have risen higher but he had to retire in 1897 when his doctors warned him against further active life. Like many another man in his position he confounded the medical profession by living on in his house in Strathfield until 1922, a tall handsome man with a fine head of white hair, and very fine, trim white beard to match.

From 1890 or earlier, Louis lived(until his death in 1922) in Albyn road, Strathfield.

It is not considered that he carried out any work in Hornsby; his numerous relatives living in Hornsby would have spoken about any connection with the house concerned, or that Louis S designed it.

More About Albert Louis Robertson and Isabella Spier:
Marriage: 28 June 1866, Christchurch St Lawrence, Sydney, Australia.

Marriage Notes for Albert Louis Robertson and Isabella Spier:
religion: Church of England

witnesses: E S Nelson; Harriet Spier

Minister: G Vidal

Children of Albert Louis Robertson and Isabella Spier are:

+Louis Spier Robertson, b. 5 August 1868, Sydney, Australia, d. 17 April 1932, Dural Street, Hornsby.
+John Hill Robertson, b. 19 November 1870, ?, d. 11 January 1955, Narranderra, NSW.
+Arthur Robertson, b. 1872, ?, d. date unknown, ?.
Isabel Fannie Robertson, b. 26 April 1876, unknown, d. 1956, unknown.
Emily Ethel Robertson, b. 12 December 1877, d. 23 July 1964.
+Eric William Robertson, b. 16 June 1882, ?, d. 7 July 1967, ?.
+Henry Robertson, b. 1 October 1883, Sydney, Australia, d. 10 April 1918, France (WW1).
+Milton Howard Robertson, b. 1885, ?, d. date unknown, ?.