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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 28, Brighton Place, Portobello, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | | 1885 | |
Employment and TrainingEmployers
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Johnston, W T | | Scottish Engineers and Shipbuilders | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Scotsman | 22 January 1885 | | | |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this : | | Source | Archive Name | Source Catalogue No. | Notes | | H M Register House | Death Register | | |
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