The engineering and architecture functions of the Department of Public Works were separated in the spring and summer of 1871. On 16 May, only 11 days after arriving in Canada, Ewart was hired on a trial basis at $60 per month. He approached Frederick Preston Rubidge*, the department’s assistant engineer and architect, who at that moment happened to be looking for an architectural assistant. A friend in Montreal advised him to seek employment with the Department of Public Works in Ottawa. In April 1871, at the age of 30 and recently married, he set sail for Canada, armed with testimonials from architects Joseph Taylor, Thomas Dickinson, and James Aitken attesting to his excellent drafting skills and industrious work habits. By the late 1860s he was employed in Helperby, England, as clerk of works for the Myton Hall estate. He apprenticed as a joiner in his father’s construction firm, learned architectural drawing from Edinburgh architect Walter Carmichael, and apparently studied architecture at the School of Arts in Edinburgh.

there 6 June 1921.ĭavid Ewart was born and educated in Penicuik, south of Edinburgh. 13 June 1938) in Ottawa, and they had four daughters and two sons d. 1885) in York, England, and they had five sons and one daughter m. first 20 March 1871 Jeanne Marie Doyen (d. 1841 in Penicuik, Scotland, third son of John Ewart, a builder, and Jean Cossar m. Source: Library and Archives Canada/MIKAN 3436647ĮWART, DAVID, civil servant and architect b. 18 Feb.

Chief architect simpson library