Edward Ram

Edward Albert Ram (died 27 January 1946) was a footballer of Clapham Rovers and a famous architect in Hong Kong during his days in early 20th century. He helped Clapham Rovers to win the 1880 FA Cup Final. From 1885 to 1927, he served as an architect in Hong Kong and formed "Denison, Ram & Gibbs". The works done by the firm were Matilda Hospital 1906, "Old Halls, the University of Hong Kong" 1913 to 1915, the Helena May main building 1916 and Repulse Bay Hotel 1920 etc.

He was an articled pupil of a leading Victorian architect, George Somers Clarke (1825–82) between 1877-82. Meanwhile, he had attended the Royal Academy Schools for architectural studies from 6 July 1880. ^[1]

1880 FA Cup Final

Outside-left, a nippy, small, dapper player who was the prototype for many wingers to come. He was one of those wingers who could cut in to get on the scoresheet which he did regularly, to such effect in the Cup second round in 1882-83 FA Cup that he ended up with a hat-trick as Clapham Rovers F.C. demolished Hanover United 7-1.^[2]

He was one of the players of Clapham Rovers during the 1880 FA Cup Final against Oxford University A.F.C..^[3] According to the record, he was 21 and an architectural student at that time.^[4]

Architect

After death of his mentor he continued as an assistant in Clarke’s old firm until 1885, during which time he travelled to study architecture in Belgium and the Netherlands, then set up his own practice in Westminster.Later he moved to Hong Kong where he was based on the Queen’s Road and from where, in June 1897, he became a Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects. While in Hong Kong he was involved in a number of major architectural projects including the Public Library around 1900 and the Hong Kong racecourse grandstand.^[5]

"Denison & Ram" was founded by Albert Denison (MICE, Authorized Architect 1903-1927) and Edward Albert Ram (- 1946, FRIBA 1897, Authorized Architect 1903 - 1927) in 1897. Ram commenced practice in 1885 and then came to Hong Kong. He worked in Sharp & Co. in 1893. Later on, Lawrence Gibbs (MICE, Authorized Architect, 1903 - 1927) joined the firm to form "Denison, Ram & Gibbs" before 1902. Ram left in 1927 and practiced in Kensington until his retirement. The name of the firm became unchanged until the business ceased in 1933. The works done by the firm were Matilda Hospital 1906, "Old Halls, the University of Hong Kong" 1913 to 1915,^[6] Helena May 1916, Repulse Bay Hotel 1920,^[7] and the clubhouses of the Hong Kong Golf Club, including, the Happy Valley Club House 1896, the Deep Water Bay Club House 1899 and the Fanling Club House 1911 to 1914. It was said that Edward Albert Ram was a keen golfer and designed for the Club entirely on voluntary basis.^[8]

Death and family

After the First World War he returned to England and resumed practice in Kensington until 1928 when he retired. His death, in January 1946, was caused by bronchitis and emphysema. Ram’s sister, Jane, ran an art school in London near Victoria, and it was one of her pupils whom he married while on home leave in 1902. Apart from his skill as an architect Ram was also a very talented water-colourist and painter of miniature portraits.^[9]

His grandson, John Miskin, writing in 2003, recalled Ram politely lifting his straw boater hat as he greeted his nanny as they met while walking in Kensington Gardens in 1933, adding: ‘I was only five at the time yet I have a distinct image of an estremely dapper little man, immaculately dressed and carrying a cane or a tightly rolled umbrella. I’ve been told that he was no more than about 5ft 5in tall. He was debonair, reminding me in postwar days of a smaller Maurice Chevalier. His sporting prowess is entirely consistent with my impressions of a very athletic grandpa joining me, my brother and cousins in a game of catch in the garden at Dymchurch in 1936. He outran all of us and, leaping over a low gate, tripped and fell, breaking his nose!’^[10]

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