Richard Pentney Eidsforth
Richard Pentney Eidsforth (1844-1899)
1899 Obituary [1]
RICHARD PENTNEY EIDSFORTH, who died on the 18th of March, 1899, was born at Wisbeach in 1844, and educated at Norwich.
When quite young he went to Australia, where he remained for four years.
From 1866-69 he was with Mr. W. T. Henley, and went on several cable expeditions.
From 1869-72 he was on the staff of Mr. Cromwell Varley, with whom he went abroad several times, and whom he assisted in his tests of the Malta-Alexandria cable.
In 1872 he became the manager of the Mildmay Park Works of Messrs. O. and F. H. Varley, where he remained until 1875.
The next two years found him engaged in business on his own account, when, meeting with Mr. E. Paterson, he was induced to become his manager, which position he occupied until 1883, having during these six years done much pioneer work in connection with the practical development of telephones and electric lighting apparatus, the "R. E." main switch attracting special attention.
The following nine years were spent in partnership with Mr. Mudford at the Arrow Electrical Works, Holloway, and the last seven years with the General Electric Co., Ltd., first at their Chapel Street Works, Salford, and, later, in the organisation and equipment of their new works at Silk Street, Adelphi, Salford. His untiring zeal, energy, and geniality won for him the esteem of all with whom he was brought into contact.
He was elected a Member, May 12, 1881.