Records of Baron C. S. Underhill, F.R.I.B.A.

This collection represents the business records of the architect's practice of Baron C. S. Underhill FRIBA including plans, business correspondence, photographs of projects, business diaries 1930 - 1964, and a few accounting records. There are a few personal letters amongst the correspondence as some of his clients were also friends.

MS 2094/1 Plans
MS 2094/2 Drawing Registers
MS 2094/3 Contract Files
MS 2094/4 Photographs
MS 2094/5 Accounts
MS 2094/6 Business diaries
MS 2094/7 Partnership Agreements
MS 2094/8 Certificates
MS 2094/9 Miscellaneous

Collingwoode Seymour Underhill (known as Coll) was born on October 29th 1892 in Edgbaston, Birmingham, the third child of Collingwoode and Clara Underhill. The family moved to Moseley in 1899 where Underhill remained until his death in 1964, leaving only to join his family near Evesham during the Second World War.

Underhill was educated at a local private school which he left at the age of 16 in 1909. He was articled to the architect Lloyd F. Ward for 3 years after which time he began work for George A. Cox at 33 Newhall Street, Birmingham.

In February 1915 Underhill left Cox's practice in order to take up a commission in the South Midland (Warwickshire) Royal Garrison Artillery. He qualified as a signalling instructor and spent his time in service in the UK. He was demobilised in February 1919 and rejoined Cox's practice.

In January 1920 he went into partnership with Cox (see MS 2094/7/2-3) and following Cox's death in May of that year took charge of the practice. He became a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1929 (see MS 2094/8/3). Underhill had five articled pupils between 1920 and 1939. In 1937 he moved his offices from 33 to 9 Newhall Street. Most of his work from this time was in the field of domestic architecture and he designed a number of houses in a style heavily influenced by the Arts and Crafts Movement. He was also engaged by the firm of Thornley and Knight, Paint and Varnish Manufacturers in Bordesley Green for whom he worked for the rest of his career.

Underhill married Gladys Barton in July 1928 and he designed their marital home on St Albans Road, Moseley. He became a freemason in 1923 joining the Athol Lodge on Severn Street of which he was Worshipful Master in 1939. He later became Past Provincial Superintendent of Works.

During the Second World War his work concentrated on war damage inspections and claims and he also worked for the War Department to survey requisitioned properties. His family moved to Harvington near Evesham where he also spent much of his time.

After the war the family returned to Birmingham and continued with much reconstruction and war damage claim work. He undertook a lot of work for Thornley and Knight and also had a contract with Birmingham City Council's Education Committee for building a school at Grestone Avenue, Handsworth Wood. After recovering from a serious illness in 1954 Underhill continued to work up until his death in 1964.

This introduction and catalogue makes extensive use of material written by the depositor.