Archibald Fulton Craig

Archibald Fulton Craig (1842-1931), founder and chairman of A. F. Craig and Co

1842 Born son of Archibald Craig

1874 Patent by James Craig, Archibald Fulton Craig, and Alexander Morton Strathern, all of Paisley, in the county of Renfrew, North Britain, Engineers, for an invention of "improvements in motive power engines and mechanism for transmitting power."

---

1931 Obituary.

We have to announce with regret the death of Mr. Archibald Fulton Craig, founder and chairman of the firm of A. F. Craig and Co., Ltd., at his home in Paisley last week. If he had lived until next January he would have completed his ninetieth year.

His life was one of great interest, since he had travelled to many parts of the world and had been present at many memorable incidents

He was born in January. 1842, and was educated first at Paisley Grammar School, and later at Glasgow University.

After serving his engineering apprenticeship with a Paisley firm, he travelled to America in search of experience. As his visit to that country coincided with the period of the American Civil War, his experience were not wholly connected with engineering. He was present at many exciting scenes. American feeling was running somewhat high at the time against England, and he was forced to listen on several occasions to strong language addressed against the conduct of this country.

Returning to England in 1868, he founded the firm which bears his name, setting up the Caledonia works in Paisley for the production of iron castings, and for boiler-making. Since that date, under his capable management, the history of the firm was one of steady progress.

In 1895 the decision was taken to convert the business into a limited liability company, of which Mr. Craig became chairman.

In connection with his firm, which supplied machinery to many countries. Mr. Craig twice completed world tours. visiting Australia, China, Japan, Canada, the United States and Egypt, among many other places.

In 1918 the firm celebrated its jubilee, and Mr. Craig received an address and a silver casket from the directors, the staff and the employees.

All his life Mr. Craig was interested in philanthropic and charitable work, early becoming associated with the Paisley Industrial School and the Paisley Technical College, while he was also deeply interested in the welfare of the Royal Alexandra Infirmary.

He was first a director and later president of the industrial school, now known as the Thornly Park School, and during his term in the latter office, which lasted twenty years, many improvements were made. He was a governor of the Technical College.

Outside his engineering work he was deeply interested in the preservation of antiquities, and devoted a considerable amount of time and consider able sums to the preservation and restoration of Paisley Abbey. His death will be felt as a heavy loss not only by engineers, but also by many others in other walks of life.

---

See Also

Loading...