Biography
John James Clark, commonly referred to as JJ, was born in Liverpool, England on 23 January 1838 to parents George and Mary Clark. Clark was one of six children. The family relocated from Liverpool to Melbourne, Australia in March 1852, in hopes of capitalising on the Victorian Goldrush. Whilst other family members took up employment working in the gold fields, 14 year old Clark pursued his interest in Architecture and was employed as a draftsman for the colonial architect’s office. JJ continued in public service until 1878 when he was retrenched in the Black Wednesday dismissals. Clark took a brief sabbatical in 1858 to tour Europe
In 1865 Clark married Mary Taylor Watmuff (1844–1871) they remained married until her untimely death at the age of 26 in 1871. The couple had one child, Edward James, in 1868. In 1889 when Edward was 21, Clark took him on a tour of Europe and America, mirroring that of the one Clark took in his own youth.
In 1880 Clark set up private practice in central Melbourne. Between 1881 and 1896 Clark relocated several times between Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and Western Australia in pursuit of commissions and employment. One of Clark’s most notable achievements, during this time, was his appointment as Queensland colonial architect.
In 1896 Clark and his son formed a professional partnership that lasted until his death, and saw them complete works in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. Clark died at his residence in St Kilda, Melbourne on 25 June 1915.
J J Clark is the subject of a biography to be published in 2011 by UNSW Press.
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