Henry Rigby (c1875-1852)
1953 Obituary [1]
HENRY RIGBY who had an extensive experience as a colliery and industrial engineer, spent most of his career in the service of the Pearson and Knowles Coal and Iron Company, Ltd. (now the Pearson and Knowles Engineering Company), Warrington, including an apprenticeship which he served from 1889 to 1895. For the next seventeen years he was engaged in the drawing office, rising from junior to senior draughtsman and assisting in the direction of the drawing and estimating departments. During this period he also found time to act as a teacher of machine construction at Warrington Technical Institute, which he had previously attended as a student.
He then went to Canada where from 1912 to 1914 he held the position of chief draughtsman to the Dominion Iron and Steel Company, Ltd., Cape Breton Island, with responsibility for the equipment and construction of collieries and the design of new mechanical plant.
On his return to Great Britain he took up an appointment as designer and technical adviser in connexion with iron and steel works plant for Ashmore, Benson, Pease and Company, Ltd., Stockton-on-Tees.
He renewed his association with Pearson and Knowles in 1918 with the appointment of chief draughtsman and engineer, a position he retained for many years until his retirement. In this capacity he was in charge of the design, estimates, and details of structural steelwork, and was responsible for the mechanical equipment of various collieries, including the design and starting up of plant for two collieries in Yorkshire.
Mr. Rigby had been an Associate Member of the Institution since 1912.
His death occurred on 13th April 1952 at the age of seventy-seven.