The papers of Robert Gilbert, 1851-1914, engineer, Glasgow
- Reference:GB 248 UGD 052/1/7
- Dates of Creation:1877-1890
- Name of Creator:
- Physical Description:9 letters, 2 speeches, 4 plans, 2 contracts, 1 specification of machinery
Scope and Content
Correspondence, plans and contracts relating to Robert Gilbert's work as an engineer with Duncan Stewart & Co, London Road Ironworks, Glasgow.
Administrative / Biographical History
Robert Gilbert was born on 28th October 1851. His parents were Henry and Helen (nee Robertson). He spent his childhood in Coatbridge, before moving to Glasgow in 1859/1860. He married Catherine Shields on 12th October 1877. At the age of 26 Robert was an engine fitter journeyman. Robert and Catherine had seven children, named Henry, Helen, Robert, Charles, William, Jessie and Samuel. He was employed at the London Road Ironworks of Duncan Stewart & Co between around 1883 to 1890. During that time he was in their erecting shop and also took charge of several large jobs for the company. He erected a large sugar factory in the Canary Islands in 1883-1884 and another in Rosario in the Argentine Republic; erected and had charge of the pumping engine made for the Hastings Pumping Station & Fulsham in 1885-1886. In 1881 he entered into a contract to fit up and complete a packing press in Yucatan, Mexico, but it is not clear whether he was working at Duncan Stewart. He seems to have left Duncan Stewart in 1889 and had moved his family from Calton to Fairfield Street in Govan. He may have been working at Randolph and Elder's Fairfield shipyard. He died at Stobhill Hospital on 3rd Dec 1914 of a cerebral haemorrhage, 9 years after his wife.