James Bryson
James Bryson (c1854-1930)
1930 Obituary [1]
JAMES BRYSON began work at the age of 10 and was apprenticed to the Vulcan Iron Company at Coatbridge.
After gaining further experience with several iron and shipbuilding companies he became, in 1887, general manager of the Pumpherston Oil Company, for whom he installed the first ammonia plant.
In 1895, Mr. Bryson with two others patented the Pumpherston Retort. He carried out the reconstruction and extension of new crude oil and sulphate of ammonia works at Seafield, Deans, and Tarbrax, these being the last complete units constructed in the shale industry. In 1910 he was made a director, and in 1915 was appointed joint managing director.
In 1919 the four shale oil companies were amalgamated to form Messrs. Scottish Oils. Mr. Bryson was appointed general works manager and in 1928 became a director. It was under his direction in 1921 that the first full refining of crude petroleum on a practical scale was carried on at Uphall, and he was also responsible for the new refinery at Grangemouth which commenced operations in 1923.
Mr. Bryson became a Member of the Institution in 1902, and died at the age of 76 on 19th January 1930.