Background
Born in Tynemouth he moved to Edinburgh around 1890 when his father, Doctor William Pope Mears, received a lecturing post in the Anatomy Department of Edinburgh University.
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Frank Mears
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Edinburgh College of Artist
Career
He initially trained under the architect Hippolyte Blanc (1896-1901) and then in 1903 under Robert Weir Schultz. In 1906 after various tours he returned to Scotland and worked under Ramsay Traquair. In 1908 he became an assistant to Patrick Geddes working on a Survey of Edinburgh for the first ever Town Planning Exhibition (1910).
In World War I he served in the Royal Flying Corps (Kite Balloon section) and importantly invented the modern parachute (and quick release buckle) whilst serving as a Major in this role.
In 1926 he founded the Association for the Preservation of Rural Scotland. In 1931 he created a "Plan for Edinburgh" and in 1935 founded the first Town Planning course at the Edinburgh College of Art whilst Head of the School.
He also advised the Department of Health on Housing in Scotland. The University of Edinburgh conferred an honorary doctorate (Doctor of Laws) on him in 1945, and he was knighted in 1946.
Mears was employed across Scotland but also was given roles in Ireland and Palestine.
Master plan for Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 1919 County Planning in East Lothian (1933-1950) Renewal of Stirling"s Old Town (1936-1953) Central and South East Scotland Plan (1946).
