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Introduction
A Family of Engineers • publications for reference
• civil engineering as well as builders of lighthouses
• international reputation
Who
Built the Bell Rock Lighthouse?
On-going controversy - Stevenson or Rennie? • Smeaton’s
Eddystone blueprint • NLB’s final minute on Stevenson’s
death • a further assessment
Stevenson
v. North Carr Rocks
General situation • Stevenson design for the stone
beacon • terrible problems at the rock • the final
North Carr beacon • comparisons with the Bell Rock
Robert
Louis Stevenson
Early training as engineer • Scotland's literary genius
• "Records of a Family of Engineers" •
his collected works
RLS,
Erraid and Dubh Artach
Recent publication on the building of Dubh Artach •
RLS makes two visits to Erraid • Thomas Stevenson greatest
achievement • places to get a good view of the lighthouse
Instrument
Makers and the Northern Lights
Development of optics in Scotland • the Stevensons'
role • instruments used for measuring focus, distance,
and position of lamps
Smith,
Thomas (1752-1815)
Father-in-law and step-father to Robert Stevenson •
first Engineer to the NLB • designed the early parabolic
reflector
Stevenson,
Robert (1772-1850)
Apprentice to above • builder of the Bell Rock •
founder of Engineering family • built 18 lighthouses
in all
Stevenson,
Alan (1807-1865)
Eldest son of Robert • builds Skerryvore (said the
be the world’s most perfect lighthouse) and others
• retires prematurely
Stevenson,
David (1815-1886)
Second son of Robert • builds (with his brother Thomas)
Scotland’s most northerly lighthouse • devoted
early career to the family’s engineering business
Stevenson,
Thomas (1818-1887)
Youngest son of Robert and father of RLS • builder
of Dubh Artach
Stevenson,
David A. (1854-1938)
Son of David (1815-1886) • longest serving Engineer
to the NLB (53 years)
Stevenson,
Charles (1855-1950)
Second son of David • best inventor of the family •
last of the family’s Engineers to the NLB
Stevenson,
D. Alan (1891-1971)
Son of Charles • world’s authority on lighthouses
• last of the family engineers • well known for
his work with the Clyde Lighthouses Trust • a personal
note
Stevenson,
Dorothy Emily (1892-1973)
Authoress of considerable renown • "Mrs Tim"
books • portrayal of family life • her death in
1973
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