Percy Leonard James (1878-1970)

P.L. James, of the well known Victoria firm, James and James, was born in London in 1879. His father, Samuel James, was a well known London artist. Percy was educated at the International College at Hampstead in London and in 1893 articled with his uncle, John Elford M.S.A., borough architect and engineer to the city of Poole, England. In 1896 James returned to London and worked in a number of offices; most notable is that of Saxon & Snell F.R.I.B.A. In 1906 James emigrated to Canada, settling first in Edmonton and opening a partnership with M. A. Magoon and E. C. Hopkins. In 1908 James moved to Victoria and was joined there in 1910 by his brother, Douglas James, also a London trained architect. P. L. James is notable for his close associations with F. M. Rattenbury in a number of projects, in particular the C.P.R. Steamship Terminal and Crystal Gardens. James's early domestic commissions show a very marked influence from Rattenbury and for many years the firm of James & James were second only to Sam Maclure for the quality and prestige of their residential work.

Projects contained in this site:

Main Post Office and Federal Building 1948-50