The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1859-10-26
Death of n Celebrated Engineer.

RoBERr SrRPHEssoN, the eminent engineer,
died on the 18th inst. in London, aged 55. lie
was horn At Wellington, Northumberland, Dec.
16, 1908, was sent to school at Long Bolton, aud
In 1914 placed with Mr.. BRUCE st NeWcastls.
he soon showed tasts Tor mechanics, and bs-
came member Of the Newcastle Literary and
Philosophical Institution, from the library OF
which he took books to study over with his
father st home on Saturday afternoons. The
Rev. Wh. TuRNEn, one OF the Secretaries Of his
lnstitr tion, aided him. In 1878. he was ap-
prsptioed 70 kicHoLAs WooD as . coal-viswsr,
and made himsef acquainted with the
machinery Of coal mining. In 1920, his father be-
csme able to send him to Edinburgh University
for single session. Here he attended the lee
lures Of Dr. horK on Chemistry, Sir JoRN LES
on Geology and Mineralogy. He gained msth-
smaticL prize, learned how to learn, and re-
turned homo In 1921. In 1892 he wss sppren-
tced to his father In his locomotive factory, but
his health falling In 1924 be went to South
America TO examine gold and silver mines. He
home in December, 1927. lie now took an
active part in the discussion Of the use Of
locomotives on the Liverpool and Man
chester Railway, and aided his father in
the construction OF the successful engine,
although no gives the credit Of the tubu-
lar boiler 10 bis father and Mr.. HEsRI BooTII.
lie was next employed on branch Of that rad
way. Before It was completed he surveyed and
undertook tho construction Of the Leicester and
Swannington Railway, aud on the completion Of
that work be surveyed the line Of the London
and Birmingham hallway, was appointed its ell
the four years from 1884 to 1898. He devoted
much time TO improvements In tho locomotive
engine, and after 1888 was engaged on many
lines of railway. But he was most remarkable
for the vas'ness OF some OF the projects, such
a. the high Lowell bridge over the Tyne at
L. Ill
Valley At er1ick, and the Britannia
Tubular Bridge over tho Menai strait, q
conception the novelty Of which was even
more striking than its magnitude. This was
o-ened In 1850. lie was also consulted ~ TO the
Bslgian lines Of railway, as to line Ia Norway
lie received the Grand Cross Of tho Order OF 81.
Olaf, and as to the railway between Florence
and LeghoSn. He visited switzerland fos the
same purpose. He designed and wss construct
ing the Vic oria tubular bridge over tho st
Lawrence, near Montreal. II Is not long since
Cairo and Alexandra, With two tubular bridgss.
He was lstely constructing an immense bridge
across the NiIe to replace the steam ferry. Betid idss
these lsbors hc has been member Of Parlisment
from Wbhby, In Yorkshire, since 1Si7. Ia 1855
be psid of debt Of els 900 for the Newcastle
Literary and Philosophical society. Flo aide
PIAZZA eMIIH In his Investigations at Teneriffs.
He Was an bonarny but active membsr Of tbs
London Sanitary and beverage Commissions, 9
Fellow Of the Roy al Society, q member OF tho
Institution Of CiVil Engineers since 1880, OF
which institution he was member Of Council
during tho years 18i5 to 1877, and Presiten
during the ears 1856 and 1857. lie n csiyed Q
| great gold medal Of honor from the French Ex-
POSITION d'Industrie Of 1853 and Is said TO have
declined an offer Of knighthood In Great Bri ain.
/ He was also tho author Of q work "On the Lo-
| comotiys Steam Engine, and another ION the
atmospheric hallway System published 10
/ quarto by WHSLE.
| Upon Bis character, the London Times passe:
the following sulogium -
viii be still more poisDantly fet in his large crclo
friends and acquantances, for he was a. good As he
| was greAt, and the man was even more to be ad
l miIed than the enginosr. His benevolence was un
doing good unsecn. his chief care In this way wa
i for the children Of old friends who had beer
/ Kind 10 him In carly LIE, sending them to the bes
schools aud P,oyidDg Tor them with ehara'teus' % is
! sort of worship, ahd tue number OF mon be- opgtnS
70 the Btsphenson School who have taken very higi
rani in their peculiar walk shows hog suocossiu h'
was In his system Of training, and how strong wa
the force oS his example. Tho feeling Of his irtsnd
i and associates was not less warm. A mau
| the souLds,t Judgment aud the utrietcst Probity
| With pob,o heart aud most genial manner, hs wo
| the confidence Of M who bnew him, aud perhsp
| 10 ali London there were not Inoie paeasan
| social gatherings than those which were
he found In his house In Goocstersplare, he hun %
being TIE LIE Of the party. Without spArk Of pr
fes Tor a. iealousy In his own nAsnre no was hksd
az h,s fellow epginsers, II they did lot know hi
s,iffieiently TO be n him affection; and do not b
ve thst even tboss who had the most reason to wis
him out of the way suoh As the osers u ths su,
Cana, which ne sfronususiy opposed, ever bore mn
sny III win In hss passed sssT, u not very full
years, yet very full Of honons--ths creator of pub
works, benesetor Of his rsoe, tbs Idol Of his friend