Samuel Joseph Lucas
Samuel Joseph Lucas (1860-1940)
1940 Obituary.[1]
Samuel Joseph Lucas, was born April 25th, i860, and entered the Airedale Foundry of Messrs. Kitson and Co, Leeds, as an apprentice on January, 23rd, 1877. During his practical training as an engineer, he studied in the evening classes of the Leeds Mechanics’ Institute, where in addition to technical subjects he learnt German so well as to be able to use it throughout his subsequent career. As a designer he worked out details of steam hammers, rolling mills, blowing engines and machine tools as well as steam tram engines. When the firm later concentrated on their original production of steam locomotives, Lucas undertook the development in detail of the newer types and in particular the double steam bogie locomotive known as the “Kitson-Meyer.” So well was this carried out, it is said, that the engine went together without a single one of those hitches which so enliven the very human relations between works and drawing office.
Samuel Lucas was a man of thoughtful and reserved character who attracted little attention outside, but it should be recorded that he played no small part in promoting the characteristics of the resourceful and reliable British locomotive. He was elected a member of this Institution on February, 1916, and retired from active service in February, 1926. His death occurred on March 18th, 1940.