MARVIN, John William (1825-1893) was recorded as “Architect, House Builder and ship joiner” in Halifax, Nova Scotia from 1859 onward (British Colonist [Halifax], 27 Oct. 1859, 4, advert.). Born in Halifax on 24 June 1825, his name as “architect” or as “builder and architect” appears consistently in newspapers and City Directories in Halifax from 1864 until 1885, yet only one major design by him can be located, a design for a four storey brick commercial block at Bigby’s Corner for J. & W. Starr & Sons Ltd., HALIFAX, N.S. (British Colonist [Halifax], 2 June 1859, 2; Halifax Morning Sun, 3 June 1859, 2).
Marvin was also entrusted by William Thomas of Toronto to serve as builder and contractor of London House, for Edward Billing & Co., Granville Street, 1860, and he later was appointed as Clerk of Works for the construction of the Union Bank, Hollis Street at Prince Street, 1861-62, designed by Cyrus P. Thomas, son of William Thomas. Marvin died in Halifax on 28 March 1893 (obit. Morning Herald [Halifax], 29 March 1893, 3; Acadian Recorder [Halifax], 29 March 1893, 7; biog. M. Rosinski, Architects of Nova Scotia, 1994, 130; inf. Garry Shutlak, PANS, Halifax).