Basic Biographical Details

Name: Robert Bruce Bell
Designation:  
Born: 13 November 1822
Died: 13 August 1883
Bio Notes: Robert Bruce Bell was born in Edinburgh on 13 November 1822, the son of Robert Fitzroy, merchant and his wife Hannah Bruce. He served his apprenticeship with Messrs Murdoch & Aitken, mechanical engineers, Glasgow, later transferring to the employ of Robert Napier, serving as a journeyman at the Lancefield Foundry and Engine Works. He subsequently studied civil engineering at the University of Glasgow and undertook a pupilage with Lewis D B Gordon and Lawrence Hill, the former being the Professor of Civil Engineering and Mechanics at the University. Whilst there he made the acquaintance of Daniel Miller with whom he was later to form a partnership. In 1848 he took a post as resident engineer on the estate of Sir James Matheson on the Isle of Lewis. He returned to Glasgow and formed a partnership with Daniel Miller about 1850. Their first large commission was a slip-dock on the estate of Kelvinhaugh.

Bell & Miller first came into prominence in the architectural world in 1852 when John Carrick commissioned them to design the arched iron roof of the new market hall adjoining the City Hall in Candleriggs and Albion Street. Thereafter they were responsible for a number of very architectural bridges with Gothic detailed cast-iron arches: at Albert Bridge, Glasgow they were reported to have been assisted by an Edinburgh-based architect named Adamson. They were also much employed on harbour works notably in Glasgow and Greenock and also further afield in Singapore, and drew up designs for works in Argentina and Canada.

Bell died from pleurisy at West Croydon on 13 August 1883; Miller on 28 September 1888, but the practice was continued under the title of Bell & Miller into the 1890s. Robert Bell's brother, Imrie Bell, was for a while in charge of the London office and Miller in the Glasgow office.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 2Glasgow, ScotlandBusiness   
Item 2 of 238, Oakfield Road, Croydon, Surrey, ScotlandPrivate1881 *  

* earliest date known from documented sources.

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 1Bell & Millerc. 18501883Partner 

Buildings and Designs

This was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
 Date startedBuilding nameTown, district or villageIslandCity or countyCountryNotes
Item 1 of 71852City Halls and BazaarCandleriggs GlasgowScotlandNew market hall roof (supervised by John Carrick)
Item 2 of 7c. 1863Albert HarbourGreenock RenfrewshireScotland 
Item 3 of 71868Albert Bridge  GlasgowScotland 
Item 4 of 71869Govan Graving Docks  GlasgowScotland 
Item 5 of 71871Carlton Place Suspension Bridge  GlasgowScotlandReconstruction
Item 6 of 71876Partick Bridge over the River Kelvin  GlasgowScotland 
Item 7 of 71883The Albert PalaceBattersea LondonEngland 

References

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this :
 SourceArchive NameSource Catalogue No.Notes
Item 1 of 1Don Montague via the websiteInformation fron Don Montague Sent January 2008.