Andrew Ross
Andrew Ross (1798-1859) founder of Ross, was born in 1798, the son of John Ross, a London staymaker.
Attended Christ Church School (the Blue Coat School) until the age of 14.
1813-1820 Apprenticed to John Corless
Went to work for W. and T. Gilbert who made telescopes and surveying instruments. He became manager (1827-8)
1818 Birth of son Thomas Ross
1830 Formed his own business at 5 Albermarle Street, Clerkenwell. Microscopes were a key product.
1832 Business address: 15 St John's Square.
1837 Collaborated with J. J. Lister.
1837 Awarded a Gold Isis medal by the Royal Society of Arts.
1840 Trading as Andrew Ross and Co (partnership with J. J. Lister).
1842 Trading as Andrew Ross Optician.
1847 Trading for 2 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn.
1851 Living at 2 Featherstone Buildings, Holborn: Andrew Ross (age 52 born St Dunstan, Herts), Optician. With his wife Elizabeth Ross (age 53 born Mackgate, Herts). Also an apprentice William Cave (age 20 born Shoreditch)
1859 Andrew Ross died at 93 Pentonville Road.
For much more information, see here [1]