Skip to Main Content
Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
Home
Contact
Architects
Buildings
Practices
Search
Admin Login
Architects
Name (Filter)
Architect Search
Clear Selection
Basic Biographic Details
Name:
Charles Alexander Stevenson
Designation :
Engineer
Date of Birth:
Year Only
Exact DOB:
28/04/1926
Year of Birth :
1855
Circa Year of Birth :
Date of Birth Before (Year):
Date of Birth After (Year):
DOB (1st 'Or' Year):
DOB (2nd 'Or' Year):
Date of Death:
Year Only
Exact DOD:
28/04/1926
Year of Death:
1950
Circa Year of Death:
Date of Death Before (Year):
Date of Death After (Year):
DOD (1st 'Or' Year):
DOD (2nd 'Or' Year):
Town of Birth :
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.
Bio Notes continued...
Additional Notes
Addresses
The following private or business addresses are associated with this person:
Private Addresses
Private Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From Char
Date From Type
Date To Char
Date To Type
Notes
Forth Street Edinburgh Scotland
Private
Born here
Royal Terrace Edinburgh Scotland
Private
row(s) 1 - 2 of 2
Business Addresses
Business Addresses2 classic
Address
Class
Date From
Date From Type
Date To
Date To Type
Notes
83 George Street Edinburgh Scotland
Business
1910
row(s) 1 - 1 of 1
Employment and Training
The following individuals or organisations employed or trained this person (click on an item to view details):
Employers2 classic
Name
Name Link
Date From
Date To
Position
Notes
D & C Stevenson
100411
In year 1887
In year 1940
Partner
D & T Stevenson
206638
c. 1875
In year 1887
Assistant
row(s) 1 - 2 of 2
Employees or Pupils
The following individuals were employed or trained by this person (click on an item to view details):
Employees or Pupils2 classic
Name
Name Link
Date From
Date To
Position
Notes
A & C Stevenson
404095
In year 1936
In year 1940
Partner
row(s) 1 - 1 of 1
Buildings and Designs
This person was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details):
Buildings and Designs2 classic
Building Name
Date Started
Town, District or Village
Island
City or County
Country
Notes
Buckpool Harbour
In year 1855
Buckie
Banffshire
Scotland
Harbour
In year 1870
Port Gordon
Morayshire
Scotland
Harbour and Lighthouse
In year 1876
Macduff
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
Breakwater enclosed
Harbour, Port Henry
c. 1878
Peterhead
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
Improvements
St Georges Quay
In year 1888
Lancaster
Lancashire
England
Alteration and Extension
Lighthouse, Skroo
In year 1892
Shetland Islands
Scotland
Lighthouse, Helliar Holm
In year 1893
Orkney Islands
Scotland
Lighthouse, Sule Skerry
In year 1895
Orkney Islands
Scotland
Lighthouse, Rattray Head
In year 1895
Buchan
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
Lighthouse, Steoma
In year 1896
Stroma Island
Pentland Firth
Scotland
Lighthouse, Tod Head
In year 1897
Catterline
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
St Andrews Harbour
In year 1898
St Andrews
Fife
Scotland
Extension
Lighthouse, Noup Head
In year 1898
Westray
Orkney Islands
Scotland
Lighthouse, Killantringan
In year 1900
Black Head, Killantringan
Wigtownshire
Scotland
Harbour with lighthouse
In year 1900
Whitehills
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
row(s) 1 - 15 of 33
Next
References