John Kirkpatrick (1856-1923)

Kirkpatrick was the Australian-born son of a Scottish carpenter. He was articled to Edmund Blacket until he set up his own practice in 1880. Among his many designs were the Carrington Hotel at Katoomba and the original five stands at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Kirkpatrick won an initial competition in 1887 for the design of a new State Parliament House, but the project never proceeded.

Author Stephen Malone notes that Kirkpatrick was criticised by fellow architects and others who claimed he had too much influence with politicians. However, he was something of a visionary, proposing in 1894 that a "Marine Drive" run along the Port Jackson foreshores, preventing waterfront development and preserving a green belt for public use. That opportunity well and truly lapsed to the subsequent regret of many Sydneysiders.

Kirkpatrick’s legacy in Glebe is Kerribree.