James Stirling (engineer, born 1799)
James Stirling (1800–1876) | |
---|---|
Born | 20 July 1800 |
Died | 10 January 1876 |
Nationality | Scottish |
Occupation | Engineer |
Engineering career | |
Discipline | Mechanical engineering |
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/13/Victoria_locomotive.jpg/235px-Victoria_locomotive.jpg)
Gauge 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in).
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0c/11_Hill_Street%2C_Edinburgh.jpg/220px-11_Hill_Street%2C_Edinburgh.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/18/The_grave_of_James_Stirling%2C_Dean_Cemetery%2C_Edinburgh.jpg/220px-The_grave_of_James_Stirling%2C_Dean_Cemetery%2C_Edinburgh.jpg)
James Stirling (3 March 1799, Methven – 10 January 1876, Edinburgh) was a Scottish engineer, and brother of Robert Stirling. He originally specialised railway engines and later in dock gates and weirs
Life
He was born at Cloag Farm near Methven in Perthshire, the son of Patrick and Janet Stirling. He originally studied divinity, intending to be a minister in the Church of Scotland. However, inspired by his brother Robert, he instead decided to be an engineer, and was apprenticed to Claude Girdwood & Co in Glasgow as a mechanical engineer. The company specialised in making cotton gins.[1]
He then became manager of the Dundee Foundry, which built several locomotives for the Dundee and Newtyle Railway and developed the Air engine (around 1840).
James Stirling and Co was located at East Foundry/Victoria Foundry, Dundee. It is unclear whether it was a separate business from the Dundee Foundry.[2]
In 1846 James Stirling left Dundee and set up an engineering practice in Edinburgh. He lived at 11 Hill Street in Edinburgh's First New Town.[3] He died in Edinburgh on 10 January 1876.[4] He is buried in the south-west spur of Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh.
Locomotives by Stirling
Steam locomotives built by the Dundee Foundry/James Stirling & Co included:
- Trotter, built 1834 for the Dundee and Newtyle Railway
- Princess, Victoria and Britannia, (all 2-2-2s) built 1838/9 for the Arbroath and Forfar Railway - 1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
- Two further locomotives for the Arbroath and Forfar Railway
- At least one locomotive for the Newtyle and Coupar Angus Railway
Family
In 1837 he was married to Susan Hunter (1800-1877), daughter of Prof James Hunter of St Andrews University.
Susan Stirling (as she was afterwards known) was a successful author, including works such as "Fanny Hervey or the Mother's Choice" (1849).[5]
References
- ^ https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/James_Stirling_(1800-1876)
- ^ "Dundee locomotive manufacturers". Steamindex.com. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- ^ Edinburgh Post Office Directory 1875-6
- ^ "Patrick Stirling & his relatives". Steamindex.com. Retrieved 19 June 2012.
- ^ https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=QnBm4ks2V3cC&pg=PA233&dq=susan+stirling&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj_0rXZ5frVAhVMLMAKHc6dBPkQ6AEIQjAF#v=onepage&q=susan%20stirling&f=false