Basic Biographical Details

Name: Charles Alexander Stevenson
Designation:  
Born: 1855
Died: 1950
Bio Notes: Charles Alexander Stevenson was born in 1855, the younger son of the lighthouse engineer David Stevenson, in Forth Street, Edinburgh, the family removing shortly afterwards to Royal Terrace. As with his brother David Alan, he was educated at Edinburgh Academy and took his Engineering degree at Edinburgh University before joining the familyfirm of D & T Stevenson. However, being the younger son, and still living at home, he had to be content to work for nothing, even though his brother was already drawing a salary of £100. It was not until his father died that he was allowed any salary, and only became a partner when his uncle Thomas Stevenson, died in 1887.

Noted for his experiments with optics and more efficient foghorns, Charles all but developed his own form of wireless in the 1890's, before Marconi perfected his system. However, Charles Stevenson never officially held the post of Engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board, although he was frequently in sole charge during his brother's illnesses particularly in 1888-1889 when David Alan Stevenson became seriously ill. In his later years, Charles was frequently in London attending parliamentary enquiries on harbours and rivers.

Officially retiring in1940, he lived in retirement until 1950, dying at the age of 96. He had one son David Alan, and two daughters.

(David) Alan Stevenson (1891-1971)
Son of Charles Stevenson Alan was the last of the family to enter the profession.

Private and Business Addresses

The following private or business addresses are associated with this :
 AddressTypeDate fromDate toNotes
Item 1 of 3Forth Street, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivate1855 Born here
Item 2 of 3Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, ScotlandPrivatec. 1856  
Item 3 of 383, George Street , Edinburgh, ScotlandBusiness1910  

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 2D & T Stevensonc. 18751887Assistant 
Item 2 of 2D & C Stevenson18871940Partner 

Employees or Pupils

The following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details):
 NameDate fromDate toPositionNotes
Item 1 of 1A & C Stevenson19361940Partner 

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 331855Buckpool HarbourBuckie BanffshireScotland 
Item 2 of 331870HarbourPort Gordon MorayshireScotland 
Item 3 of 331876Harbour and LighthouseMacduff AberdeenshireScotlandBreakwater enclosed
Item 4 of 33c. 1878Harbour, Port HenryPeterhead AberdeenshireScotlandImprovements
Item 5 of 331888St Georges QuayLancaster LancashireEnglandAlteration and Extension
Item 6 of 331892Lighthouse, Skroo Shetland Islands Scotland 
Item 7 of 331893Lighthouse, Helliar Holm Orkney Islands Scotland 
Item 8 of 331895Lighthouse, Rattray HeadBuchan AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 9 of 331895Lighthouse, Sule Skerry Orkney Islands Scotland 
Item 10 of 331896Lighthouse, Steoma Stroma IslandPentland FirthScotland 
Item 11 of 331897Lighthouse, Tod HeadCatterline AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 12 of 331898Lighthouse, Noup HeadWestrayOrkney Islands Scotland 
Item 13 of 331898St Andrews HarbourSt Andrews FifeScotlandExtension
Item 14 of 331900BreakwaterPortknockie BanffshireScotland 
Item 15 of 331900Harbour with lighthouseWhitehills AberdeenshireScotland 
Item 16 of 331900Lighthouse, KillantringanBlack Head, Killantringan WigtownshireScotland 
Item 17 of 331901Lighthouse, Barns NessDunbar (off) East LothianScotland 
Item 18 of 331902Lady Isle LighthouseTroon (off)Lady IsleAyrshireScotland 
Item 19 of 331902St Monans HarbourSt Monans/St Monance FifeScotlandReconstruction of W pier
Item 20 of 331903Forth-Clyde Ship Canal   Scotland 
Item 21 of 331903Lighthouse, Bass RockNorth Berwick (off) East LothianScotland 
Item 22 of 331904Lighthouse, Hyskeir  Isle of Rhum Scotland 
Item 23 of 331905Outer Lighthouse, Holy IsleLamlash BayHoly IsleButeScotland 
Item 24 of 331908Lighthouse, Eilean Trodday Isle of Skye Scotland 
Item 25 of 331909Pennan HarbourPennan, Aberdour AberdeenshireScotlandBoth piers extended
Item 26 of 331910Lighthouse, Maughold HeadRamsey  Isle of Man 
Item 27 of 331912Lighthouse, Milaid Point Outer Hebrides Scotland 
Item 28 of 331912Lighthouse, Rubh Re  SutherlandScotland 
Item 29 of 331915Lighthouse, Copinsay Orkney Islands Scotland 
Item 30 of 331916Lighthouse, Clyth NessLybster (near) CaithnessScotland 
Item 31 of 331924Lighthouse, Duncansby Head   Scotland 
Item 32 of 331929Eshaness LighthouseNorthmavine ShetlandScotland 
Item 33 of 331937Lighthouse, Tor NessPentland FirthOrkney Islands Scotland 

References

Currently, there are no references for this . The information has been derived from: the British Architectural Library / RIBA Directory of British Architects 1834-1914; Post Office Directories; and/or any sources listed under this individual's works.