Robert Harvey (1848-1925)
Robert Harvey (1848-1925)
Son of Robert Harvey, Senior
Apprenticed in works of James Cook in Glasgow, designer of the first marine engine on the Clyde.
Draughtsman at Randolph and Elder, Govan
Managing partner of Park Grove Iron Works, constructing shipbuilders' and engineers' tools, steel plant rolling mill engines, large steam hammers for steel works
1871 Living at St Andrews Road, Whithorn Villa, Govan, Glasgow: Robert Harvey (age 58 born Whithorn, Wigtonshire), Master Mechanical Engineer Employing 16 Men and 4 Boys. With his wife Isabella Harvey (age 38 born Mary hill, Lanarkshire) and their nine children; Robert Harvey (age 23 born Glasgow), Mechanical Draughtsman; William M. Harvey (age 20 born Glasgow), Mechanical Engineer or Fitter; Catherine Harvey (age 27 born Glasgow); Agnes T. Harvey (age 15 born Glasgow); Maggie F. Harvey (age 12 born Glasgow); James F. Harvey (age 11 born Glasgow); Jane S. Harvey (age 6 born Glasgow); David P. Harvey (age 4 born Glasgow); and Isabella Harvey (age 2 born Glasgow). One servant.[1]
Inventor of the Harvey Evaporator for evaporating the water out of sugar cane juice
Chairman and Managing Director of the Harvey Engineering Co., Ltd., Glasgow, makers of sugar machinery.
1925 Obituary [2]
ROBERT HARVEY was born in Glasgow in 1848.
After completing his education at the Glasgow High School and at the Andersonian College, served his apprenticeship with Messrs. David Cook and Co., and acted later on as works manager.
He also obtained experience, as a draughtsman, with Messrs. Randolph Elder and Co. - a business which became subsequently the Fairfield Shipbuilding and Engineering Co., Ltd. - and spent a year or two in London on the staff of Messrs. J. and J. Blyth, Engineers, Limehouse.
About 1870 he returned to Glasgow to join his father as manager and partner in the business the latter had started as Robert Harvey and Co., Park Grove Iron Works, and ten years later, on his father's retirement, he became head of that firm.
In 1888 he joined the late Sir Williams M'Onie as managing partner of Messrs. M'Onie, Harvey and Co., an organization which later on became the Harvey Engineering Co., Glasgow, and of which Mr. Harvey was for many years managing director and chairman.
Mr. Harvey specialized in the designing and production of sugar-making machinery, and was the inventor of the Harvey evaporator for the removal of water from the sugar-cane juice.
In 1905 he visited the West Indies at the request of the Government to report on the erection of central sugar factories, and his intimate acquaintance with the industry enabled him to earn appreciation for the services he rendered.
His death took place at Pollokshields, on 9th March 1925.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1897.
1925 Obituary [3]