LITTLE, Harold Robert (1887-1948), active in Montreal, Que. in partnership with Harold Lawson from 1922 onward (see list of works under Lawson & Little). Born in London, Ont. on 8 October 1887, he was educated at Upper Canada College in Toronto and later graduated with a B.Sc. Degree in architecture from McGill University in 1910. He moved to Calgary where he was engaged in large-scale construction work, then took charge of the Architectural Department of the Merchants Bank of Canada head office in Montreal. When that bank was absorbed by the Bank of Montreal in March 1922, Little was invited by Harold Lawson to form a new partnership, and their office flourished. During the next 25 years, they obtained major commissions for commercial, industrial, residential and institutional works in Montreal and southern Quebec. He also held the position of Lecturer on Building Construction at the School of Architecture at McGill University.
H.R. Little died in Westmount in Montreal on 14 September 1948 and was later buried in London, Ont. (obituary The Gazette [Montreal], 16 Sept. 1948, 21; Montreal Star, 16 Sept. 1948, 26; inf. Province of Quebec Association of Architects). The obituary article on Harold R. Little which was published in The Gazette was erroneously titled “Noted Architect H.B. Little Dies”, and should have been titled “H.R. Little”. The name of Harold R. Little should not be confused with another Montreal architect, Harold Butler Little, who lived and worked in Montreal during this period.
H.R. LITTLE
REGINA, SASK., Merchants Bank of Canada, 1923 (C.R., xxxvii, 12 Dec. 1923, 61, illus. in advert.)
COMPETITIONS
MONTREAL, QUE., Gymnasium Buildings, Pine Avenue, McGill University, 1935. H.R. Little submitted an entry under his own name in the competition for a new gymnasium, pool and outdoor stadium. He received the Third Prize for his proposal that was later published in R.A.I.C. Journal, xii, May 1935, 83-84, illus. & descrip. The winner was Arthur J.C. Paine.