John Starforth

He was born in the town of Auckland near Durham in northern England, in July 1822 the son of John Henry Starforth or Starford, and his wife Elizabeth Moor.

[1] He set up an independent practice around 1850, specialising in churches and country villas and farmsteads.

In 1864 he entered the competition for the Scottish National Albert Memorial (now in Charlotte Square).

He died of a heart attack whilst walking on Princes Street, to his home at 37 York Place[2] in Edinburgh's New Town, on 18 May 1898.

They had two daughters and three sons, including Robert H. Starforth, who continued his father's architectural practice but was of lesser note.