Albert Edward Silk
Albert Edward Silk (1862-1909)
1909 Obituary [1]
ALBERT EDWARD SILK, born at Gravesend on the 8th March, 1862, obtained his scientific training at Coopers Hill College, and after spending a short period on engineering works, passed into the Indian Government service in 1883.
He was posted to the Orissa Irrigation Circle, and received his first promotion 3 years later.
In 1894 his services were lent to the Bengal Sanitary Board as Engineer, and after acting in a similar capacity to the Calcutta Municipality in 1895, he was confirmed in the appointment of Sanitary Engineer to the Government of Bengal in 1896, a post which he retained until his death.
He made several visits to England and the Continent to inspect and report upon methods of sewerage and sewage-disposal, and as the outcome of these investigations and his own experience in India, he published several works dealing with the sanitary branch of engineering.
He also lectured at the Sibpur Civil Engineering College, and served on a Government Committee to report on the damage done to Darjeeling by the cyclone of 1899. He served as a Commissioner and subsequently as Chairman of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation, and in 1904 he was nominated a Fellow of Calcutta University. At the time of his death, his rank was that of Superintending Engineer of the third grade in the Public Works Department.
He died whilst on furlough, at Bern, Switzerland, on the 6th February, 1909. In 1895 he married Eileen, daughter of the late Dr. Mathew, who, with one son, survives him.
Mr. Silk was elected an Associate Member of The Institution on the 10th April, 1888, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 30th November, 1897.