Foster, Francis Roland | Biographical Dictionary of Architects in Canada

FOSTER, Francis Roland (1875-1943) was born in London, Engl. on 28 January 1875 and was the son of Prof. G. Cary Foster, principal of University College in London. In July 1893 Foster moved to Scotland to study under S. Henbest Capper at Edinburgh University and at the School of Applied Art in that city. He then moved to Sheffield in 1896 to serve an apprenticeship with Charles Hadfield (in 1896-98), and later worked in London for Charles Wortley, for A. Hessell Tiltman, and for F. Loughborough Pearson. His earlier contact with S.H. Capper may have influenced his decision to move to Montreal in August 1908 where he worked briefly for Kenneth G. Rea and then became chief assistant to Howard C. Stone (in 1908-13). He claimed to be the author of plans for the Roxborough Apartment Block in Ottawa (1909-10) '...the drawings of which are of my own design' (R.I.B.A., London, Membership Records, letter by Foster of 9 March 1911). He opened his own office in Montreal in 1913, but only a few works by him have been located. He was active in the Arts Club of Montreal and held the position of Treasurer of the P.Q.A.A. for several years. Foster died in Montreal on 14 July 1943 (death notice Gazette [Montreal], 15 July 1943, 10; biog. & port. National Reference Book, iii, 1929-30, 143; biog. Col. W. Wood, Storied Province of Quebec: Past & Present, 1931, iv, 321; inf. Prov. of Quebec Association of Architects; R.I.B.A., Directory of British Architects 1834-1914, 2001, i, 673)

WESTMOUNT, residence for Murray E. Williams, Trafalgar Avenue, 1927 (C.H.G., v, July 1928, 20, illus.)
METROPOLE BUILDING, Notre Dame Street at St. Laurent Boulevard, 1928 (C.R., xlii, 4 Jan. 1928, 49; Montreal, Les Hotels Les Immeubles de Bureaux, 1983, 82-4, illus.)
J.S. FRY & SONS, Delorimier Avenue, staff clubhouse, 1928 (C.R., xlii, 25 Jan. 1928, 61, t.c.)
GREAT WAR MEMORIAL LEGION HALL, Verdun Street near Willibrord Street, 1928 (Gazette [Montreal],20 June 1928, 7; inf. Scott Edwards)
BELDING-CORTICELLI LTD., Shearer Street, addition to factory, c. 1928 (Anglin Norcross Contractors Ltd., publicity brochure, 1930)