Alexander Stark
Alexander Stark (1851-1884)
1884 Obituary [1]
ALEXANDER STARK was born at Woolwich, in April, 1851, where his father was Resident Engineer to the Woolwich, Plumstead and Charlton Gas Company.
He was educated at the Perth Academy, and entered the offices of Messrs. Easton, Amos and Anderson at their London works, Grove, Southwark Street, in 1867. He soon developed much aptitude for engineering and was looked upon as a very promising pupil. In the same year and in part of 1868 he was employed by the firm on the extensions of the Winchester Waterworks.
On the removal of Messrs. Easton and Anderson's Grove works to their Erith Ironworks, he was attached to the staff at the latter place, at first chiefly in the drawing-office. He displayed particular ability in carrying on experiments and conducting observations, and was therefore frequently engaged in making interesting and valuable researches.
In 1874 he was appointed to assist the Manager in carrying on the Erith Ironworks. In the early part of 1882 he was appointed Assistant Engineer on the staff of Messrs. Easton and Anderson, with the more immediate duty of assisting the Manager of the Erith Ironworks. The ability he displayed in his younger days was steadily developed, and, combined with a zealous and conscientious discharge of his duties, rendered him a reliable and accurate experimenter and observer.
His devotion to his profession unfortunately caused him to overtax his strength and neglect his health. For a considerable time he had been suffering without complaining, till in August 1883 he was no longer able to attend to his duties, and he died of consumption at Erith on the 8th of February, 1884.
He was elected an Associate Member on the 4th of December, 1877, having previously been a Student of the Institution.