Born in Stowmarket, England, Philip John Turner (1876-1943) studied at the Architectural Association in London and received an Associateship from the Royal Institute of British Architects in 1901. By 1907 Turner had emigrated to Canada and set up his architectural practice in Montreal. During his career Turner designed houses, banks, commercial buildings, churches and libraries in Montreal, including alterations to the Westmount Public Library. From 1908 until 1941 Turner lectured on building construction at the McGill University School of Architecture where he held the post of director from 1939 until 1941. In 1933 Turner served as president of the Province of Quebec Association of Architects.

Né à Stowmarket (Angleterre), Philip John Turner (1876-1943) a étudié au Architectural Association de Londres et est devenu associé du Royal Institute of British Architects en 1901. En 1907, Turner a émigré au Canada et a ouvert un cabinet d'architectes à Montréal. Au cours de sa carrière, il a dessiné des maisons, des banques, des immeubles commerciaux, des églises et des bibliothèques à Montréal et notamment des modifications à la Bibliothèque municipale de Westmount. De 1908 à 1941, Turner a donné des cours sur la construction d'immeubles à l'École d'architecture de l'Université McGill dont il a été directeur de 1939 à 1941. En 1933, Turner a été président de l'Association des architectes de la province de Québec.