Basic Biographical Details

Name: James Bell (senior)
Designation:  
Born: 1807 or 1808
Died: 17 January 1885
Bio Notes: James Bell (senior) was born in 1807 or 1808, in East Lothian, probably at Dunbar, the son of builder and engineer Robert Bell from whom he had learned the business of civil engineering as his superintendent or inspector and his wife Williamina Spiers. Early in his career he was appointed manager and engineer of the Paisley & Renfrew Railway, followed by a period as resident engineer on the eastern section of the Glasgow & Ayr Railway, then being constructed to the designs of James Miller of Grainger & Miller. A similar appointment with Miller on the construction of the North British Railway from Edinburgh to Berwick followed in 1842-44 and in the latter year the North British Railway appointed him engineer of the eastern section. He subsequently became engineer-in chief for the entire system. David Bell, who designed a number of the early North British stations may have been a brother.

Bell retired in 1879. He died on 17 January 1885 at 28 Brighton Place, Portobello: his wife Elizabeth Young had predeceased him on 20 September 1875. All their sons joined the North British Railway, the eldest, James Bell junior succeeding his father as engineer in chief on his retirement.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 128, Brighton Place, Portobello, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate 1885 

Employment and Training

Employers

The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 3Glasgow & Ayr Railway Engineers Department  EngineerEngineer
Item 2 of 3Paisley & Renfrew Railway Engineers Department  Engineer 
Item 3 of 3North British Railway Company1844 EngineerEngineer of the eastern section

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this :
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Johnston, W T Scottish Engineers and Shipbuilders   

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this :
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 1Scotsman22 January 1885   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1H M Register HouseDeath Register