John Richardson (1841-1920) of Robey and Co
1920 Obituary [1]
JOHN RICHARDSON, J.P., was born in Lincoln on 23rd October 1841.
At the age of fourteen he was apprenticed to Messrs. Clayton and Shuttleworth, of Lincoln, and in 1864 he joined the firm of Messrs. Robey and Co., Ltd., of the same city, as a draughtsman, having entire charge of the drawing-office.
In 1865 the firm was changed into a private partnership, and in 1874 he became one of the three managing partners.
On the conversion of the firm again in 1893 to a limited company, he was appointed one of the two managing directors, which position he held until his retirement in 1904.
During his connexion with the firm he brought out many improvements in engine construction.
In 1870 he designed and constructed a road steamer with rubber tyres, and three years later an automatic valve-gear for portable engines; and at the Lincoln Summer Meeting in 1885 he read a Paper on the "Robey Semi-Portable Engine." He also brought out many other devices connected with valve-gears and governors.
After retiring from the firm, he practised as a,consulting engineer and took out several more patents.
His death occurred at Lincoln on 23rd April 1920, in his seventy-ninth year.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1873; he was also a Member of the Institution of Civil Engineers.