William McMinn


William McMinn was an Irish-born Australian surveyor and architect, based in Adelaide in the colony of South Australia.

Early life and education

McMinn was born in Newry, County Down, Ireland, in 1844. He was a son of Joseph McMinn and his wife Martha McMinn, née Hamill, who with their large family emigrated to Adelaide on the Albatross, arriving in September 1850. Newspaper reports only mention Mrs McMinn and 8 children aboard Albatross.
No details of his schooling are known, though it has been asserted that he was taught by one Mr McGeorge of Adelaide, however no teacher of that or similar name has yet come to light. It is likely the youngest children were home-educated, with the boys receiving tuition in drafting and surveying from a tutor.

Career

After completing school, he was articled to the architect James Macgeorge, and was appointed to the Architect-in-Chief's office, but in April 1864 left for employment as a chainman in Boyle Travers Finniss's 1864–65 expedition to Northern Australia surveying the area around Escape Cliffs and the Adelaide River. Following a breakdown of morale in the settlement, McMinn and six others purchased a 23-foot open boat which they dubbed the Forlorn Hope and sailed it to Champion Bay, near Geraldton, Western Australia.
McMinn began practising as an architect in 1867, briefly in partnership with Daniel Garlick, and later with some others, but usually independently.
In late 1870 or early 1871 he was appointed as overseer of construction of the Overland Telegraph section from Port Augusta to Darwin, and on 3 May 1871 cancelled the contract tendered by Darwent & Dalwood, they having fallen behind schedule due to heavy rain. Critics of his action pointed out that with the onset of the dry season and better logistics this loss could easily have been made up. The work was put in the hands of engineer R. C. Patterson with instructions to finish the line by early 1872 no matter what the cost. McMinn was dismissed shortly after his return to Adelaide in July 1871, and William T. Dalwood was later awarded compensation of £11,000.
[file:Marble Hill Ruin - Overcast.JPG|Marble Hill ruin|thumb]
He designed many grand private residences, but also designed or assisted in the design of many of Adelaide's grand public buildings. Whilst in partnership with Edward John Woods, he designed the original Venetian Gothic building of the University of Adelaide, considered his greatest work. Completed in 1878, it was the first building of the university.
Also with Woods, he designed the Governor of South Australia's residence at Marble Hill, which was later ruined by fire in 1955. During this period he also designed one of the buildings in Torrens Park, now Scotch College, Adelaide, with Woods.
He designed the original wing of the Adelaide Children's Hospital, and won second place for his design of a bridge over the River Torrens.
He built Mount Breckan, home of the Hay Family in Victor Harbor.
During the 1880s, McMinn was commissioned the South Australian Company to design a set of buildings at no. 187-207 Rundle Street, Adelaide. These were built in stages from east to west, and included the Austral Hotel as well the building which later housed Malcolm Reid & Co. Ltd furniture emporium. The first building, comprising 14 shops and a hotel to provide accommodation in the three storeys above, were completed in January 1880. The section later occupied by Malcolm Reid was completed last, around 1883. The completed group occupies almost two town acres, and is unusual in Adelaide in South Australia on account of its extent. The buildings are heritage-listed on the South Australian Heritage Register.

Later life and death

McMinn died in North Adelaide on 14 February 1884.

Family

William McMinn married Mary Frances Muirhead at Glenelg on 14 March 1877; their family included:
They had a home "Rutherdale" in Lower Mitcham.
McMinn had five sisters and two brothers in South Australia