Person:Robert Davidson (32)

His first rudiments of education were taught at a "dame-school" in Longacre, Aberdeen, Scotland, run by one "Bodsie" Bowers. Afterwards he went to a seminary in Broad Street before attending the grammar school. He then attended the Marischal College where he read Arts and remained until around the age of twenty.

His obituary says that,

He devoted himself chiefly to the study of chemistry and mechanics: indeed so much attention did he pay to these sections of the curricula that, although he was enabled to pursue his studies longer than usual on account of the assistance that he tendered one of the professors by the construction of a model engine, he failed to graduate.

He was one of the last of Professor Patrick Copland's pupils at Marischal College in 1821.

On leaving college, he entered his father's grocer shop and served his apprenticeship, but he was not happy as a grocer and continued in his spare time to experiment with his models.

Frequent inquires about yeast at his father's business led him to attempt its manufacture. This proved so successful that he looked around for suitable premises to set up business. It was to be his means of livelihood for the next fifty years.

Robert took over the 'Elmfield' house in Canal Road, Aberdeen, Scotland, after the death of his uncle Robert Davidson in 1831.

He had a constantly inquiring mind. As a manufacturing chemist he experimented in colour dyes and ether. Photography was another of his interests, and he also found time to erect a telescope in the grounds outside his premises at 32 Canal Road. His telescope of 35 feet with a 2 foot diameter speculum (mirror) was a source of wonder to all who used it in the year 1836.

He first attracted public attention soon after the news filtered through to Aberdeen on the feat by a Russian inventor, Jacobi, in propelling a ship by electric power on the River Neva in 1838. This prompted Robert to put his own achievements (a lathe, a saw, a small printing machine, all electrically operated, and a model electric locomotive) on show at an exhibition in Aberdeen. The exhibition ran for about three weeks at the Hall, 36 Union Street. Admittance was one shilling. It was quite well attended and had good press.

The scientific world did not come rushing to Robert's door. Encouraged by his public success however, he took his exhibits to Edinburgh to seek support for his work from the railway companies. The Edinburgh-Glasgow railway was then nearing completion. Under the auspices of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts and aided by a small grant from them, he put on his exhibition at 8 Saint Andrew Square on 28-Mar-1842. It drew good crowds and there were glowing reviews.

During 1841-42, Robert spent a lot of his time in Edinburgh, seeking help and financial assistance while demonstrating the capabilities of electro-magnetic traction. He built what was to be his historic locomotive, the 'Galvani', and trials of the engine took place on 22-Sep-1842 on the Edinburgh-Glasgow railway (this however proved to be the only run of his locomotive).

External links

• Robert Davidson on Wikipedia
• Professor Patrick Copland, University Museums, University of Aberdeen