Robert Bruce (1854-1931), founder of Robert Bruce and Sons
1854 May 5th. Born in London
1931 Obituary [1]
ROBERT BRUCE became a Member of the Institution in 1889, the year in which he first came to London to take up consulting engineering work.
He was born in London in 1854, and at the age of 15 entered the office of the late Mr. Alexander Morton of Glasgow, the inventor of the ejector condenser. He shortly afterwards came into contact with many eminent engineers and men of science, including Sir William Thomson, afterwards Lord Kelvin, and his brother Professor James Thomson, Mr. (afterwards Sir) Frederick Bramwell, Professor W. J. M. Rankine and Mr. James R. Napier, in connexion with the litigation arising from the infringement of Morton's patent.
On leaving Mr. Morton's office, Mr. Bruce served an apprenticeship in the marine engineering works of the late Mr. James Howden, after which he commenced on his own account as a contractor for engineering work. Illness interrupted this enterprise and he rejoined Mr. Morton for some years prior to his removal to London.
Shortly after opening his office in London he became associated with the late Mr. James Howden, and for a number of years he devoted all his time to the promotion of the use of Mr. Howden's system of forced draught.
In 1906 he resumed consultative work and founded the firm of Messrs. Robert Bruce and Sons, of which he remained senior partner until his death on 2nd June 1931.
1931 Obituary [2]
1931 June 2nd. Died