John Anderson (Scottish engineer)

Sir John Anderson FRSE KB (9 December 1814 - 28 July 1886) was a Scottish engineer and inventor best known for revolutionising the production of armaments at the Royal Arsenal.[1]

Sir

John Anderson

FRSE MICE
Born9 December 1814
Woodside, Aberdeen, Scotland
Died28 July 1886
St Leonards-on-Sea, England
Resting placeKirk of St Nicholas, Aberdeen
Children3
Engineering career
Employer(s)Royal Arsenal
Royal Small Arms Factory
Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills
ProjectsHMFF Chasseur
Sir John Anderson

Career
The grave of Sir John Anderson FRSE in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas

He was born in Woodside, Aberdeen on 9 December 1814 the son of John Anderson (d.1814), an Aberdeen merchant, and his wife, Helen Hosie. His father died just before his birth. He was educated at Brae School in Woodside. He was apprenticed as an engineer at age 14 under his stepfather Irvine Kempt.[2]

In 1842 on the recommendation of David Napier he was given a position as a foreman at Royal Woolwich Arsenal. He rose to the position of Chief Inspector of munitions then in 1856 set up his own factory making shells to supply the Crimean War.[3]

In 1870 St Andrews University awarded him a Doctor of Laws (LLD). He was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1878.[4]

In 1871 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. His proposer was Thomas Croxen Archer.[5]

He died at St Leonards-on-Sea on 28 July 1886 and was buried in the churchyard of the Kirk of St Nicholas in central Aberdeen.

Family

In 1840 he was married to Eliza Norrie (1815-1893).[6]

Publications
  • Strength of Materials and Structures (1872)

Awards

Legacy

Anderson gave £6,000 for the establishment of a public library in Woodside (now part of Aberdeen).

References
  1. "Institute of Civil Engineers - Obituary". ICE Virtual Library. doi:10.1680/imotp.1886.21180. Retrieved 18 October 2021.
  2. "John Anderson (1814-1886) - Graces Guide".
  3. "John Anderson (1814-1886) - Graces Guide".
  4. "John Anderson (1814-1886) - Graces Guide".
  5. "Past Fellows".
  6. Grave of Sir John Anderson, Kirk of St Nicholas
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