Basic Biographical Details Name: | (Sir) William Robertson Copland | Designation: | | Born: | 1 July 1838 | Died: | 19 August 1907 | Bio Notes: | William Robertson Copland was born at Stirling on 1 July 1838, the fourth son of John Copland, merchant tailor in Stirling and later Glasgow and his wife Euphemia Pearson. He was educated at Stirling High School, Glasgow High School, Anderson's College and the University of Glasgow where he gained first prizes in mathematics and engineering. After an articled apprenticeship with David Smith CE he joined the staff of the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway with which he remained until appointed Burgh Surveyor of Paisley in 1862.
In 1866 Copland resigned his Paisley appointment to commence practice as a civil engineer on his own account, specialising in water supply, his reputation spreading as far afield as Chile where he designed the works for the Province of Tarapaca.
Copland took an active part in public life. He was Deacon Convener of the Trades Houser and ex-officio a member of the Town Council 1891-93. In 1887 he was selected to represent the Trades House on the Board of Governors of the newly formed Glasgow and West of Scotland Technical College, becoming chairman in 1897. In that capacity he was the driving force behind the building of the new college, opened in 1905. His efforts brought him a place on Glasgow University Court in 1898, a knighthood in June 1906, and the degree of LLD from the University in April 1907.
Copland died on 19 August 1907, leaving moveable estate of £20,220 5s 6d and was buried in Glasgow Necropolis. He was survived by his wife Elizabeth James Donaldson who died on 23 July of the following year, one daughter and five sons, one of whom, John Pearson Copland, continued the practice. | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | 20, Sandyford Place, Glasgow, Scotland | Private | | | | | Glasgow, Scotland | Business | | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | John Taylor Babtie | 1885 | 1890 | Apprentice | |
Buildings and DesignsThis was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes | | 7 July 1880 | Cove and Kilcreggan water scheme | Cove and Kilcreggan | | Dunbartonshire | Scotland | Appointed as engineer for scheme. | | 1896 | Dunoon Pier and Offices | Dunoon | | Argyll | Scotland | Rebuilding - in collaboration with R A Bryden and C J M Mackintosh | | 1897 | Waterworks | Troon | | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1904 | Waterworks | Dunfermline | | Fife | Scotland | New waterworks? |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this : | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Who's Who in Glasgow | 1909 | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this : | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Glasgow Herald | 20 August 1907 | | | | | Glasgow Herald | 23 August 1907 | | | | | Glasgow Herald | 27 August 1907 | | | | | Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers | 1907 | CLXX | | pp386-7 |
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