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 AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this : | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes | | Forth Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | 1855 | | Born here | | Royal Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1856 | | | | 83, George Street , Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1910 | | |
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | D & T Stevenson | c. 1875 | 1887 | Assistant | | | D & C Stevenson | 1887 | 1940 | Partner | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes | | A & C Stevenson | 1936 | 1940 | Partner | |
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 | | 1855 | Buckpool Harbour | Buckie | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1870 | Harbour | Port Gordon | | Morayshire | Scotland | | | 1876 | Harbour and Lighthouse | Macduff | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Breakwater enclosed | | c. 1878 | Harbour, Port Henry | Peterhead | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Improvements | | 1888 | St Georges Quay | Lancaster | | Lancashire | England | Alteration and Extension | | 1892 | Lighthouse, Skroo | | Shetland Islands | | Scotland | | | 1893 | Lighthouse, Helliar Holm | | Orkney Islands | | Scotland | | | 1895 | Lighthouse, Rattray Head | Buchan | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1895 | Lighthouse, Sule Skerry | | Orkney Islands | | Scotland | | | 1896 | Lighthouse, Steoma | | Stroma Island | Pentland Firth | Scotland | | | 1897 | Lighthouse, Tod Head | Catterline | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1898 | Lighthouse, Noup Head | Westray | Orkney Islands | | Scotland | | | 1898 | St Andrews Harbour | St Andrews | | Fife | Scotland | Extension | | 1900 | Breakwater | Portknockie | | Banffshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Harbour with lighthouse | Whitehills | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | | | 1900 | Lighthouse, Killantringan | Black Head, Killantringan | | Wigtownshire | Scotland | | | 1901 | Lighthouse, Barns Ness | Dunbar (off) | | East Lothian | Scotland | | | 1902 | Lady Isle Lighthouse | Troon (off) | Lady Isle | Ayrshire | Scotland | | | 1902 | St Monans Harbour | St Monans/St Monance | | Fife | Scotland | Reconstruction of W pier | | 1903 | Forth-Clyde Ship Canal | | | | Scotland | | | 1903 | Lighthouse, Bass Rock | North Berwick (off) | | East Lothian | Scotland | | | 1904 | Lighthouse, Hyskeir | | Isle of Rhum | | Scotland | | | 1905 | Outer Lighthouse, Holy Isle | Lamlash Bay | Holy Isle | Bute | Scotland | | | 1908 | Lighthouse, Eilean Trodday | | Isle of Skye | | Scotland | | | 1909 | Pennan Harbour | Pennan, Aberdour | | Aberdeenshire | Scotland | Both piers extended | | 1910 | Lighthouse, Maughold Head | Ramsey | | | Isle of Man | | | 1912 | Lighthouse, Milaid Point | | Outer Hebrides | | Scotland | | | 1912 | Lighthouse, Rubh Re | | | Sutherland | Scotland | | | 1915 | Lighthouse, Copinsay | | Orkney Islands | | Scotland | | | 1916 | Lighthouse, Clyth Ness | Lybster (near) | | Caithness | Scotland | | | 1924 | Lighthouse, Duncansby Head | | | | Scotland | | | 1929 | Eshaness Lighthouse | Northmavine | | Shetland | Scotland | | | 1937 | Lighthouse, Tor Ness | Pentland Firth | Orkney Islands | | Scotland | |
ReferencesCurrently, 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. |