David Simson
David Simson (1861-1916)
1917 Obituary [1]
DAVID SIMSON, born 9th November, 1861, in Roxburghshire, died 16th December, 1916, at Hitchin, Herts.
On completing his apprenticeship with Messrs. Carfrae and Belfrage, Edinburgh, he joined the staff of Messrs. John Waddell and Sons in 1882, and was for 23 years contractor’s engineer on the Eastern section of the Edinburgh Suburban Railway and the Killin Railway.
From 1886 to 1888 he was employed by Mr. John Strain, M.Inst.C.E., making Parliamentary surveys, and as resident engineer on the Kilbirnie Branch of the Lanarkshire and Ayrshire Railway.
He then left Britain to take up the appointment as chief assistant resident engineer on the Buenos Ayres and Valparaiso Transandine Railway, becoming subsequently resident engineer in charge of the Western Railway of Havana.
In 1896 he was appointed Chief Engineer of the Buenos Ayres Western Railway, becoming in 1897, Acting Manager, and in 1898, General Manager.
In 1907 he retired and returned to England, where he took an active part as a Director of various South American railway and other companies, being Chairman of the Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway.
He was elected an Associate Member 1st March, 1887, and transferred to the class of Members 30th March, 1897.