Alfred Longsdon
Alfred Longsdon (1827-1893) of Krupps
1865 Alfred Longsdon, 11 New Broad Street, London.[1]
1893 November 27th. Died.[2]
1893 Obituary [3]
ALFRED LONGSDON was born on 22nd May 1827.
In 1845 he entered the service of Mr. Alfred Krupp of Essen, who employed him at first in connection with English patents.
In 1856 he was appointed the firm's representative in London for Great Britain; and in 1873 became one of the directors in Essen, at the same time retaining his position of manager of the London office. As a director he shared the conduct of the business, and took a prominent part in many of the alterations and additions which have been carried out in the cast- steel works at Essen and in the blast-furnaces and mines belonging thereto. For this purpose he annually spent several months there at regular intervals up to four or five years ago.
His sound judgment, practical views, and great experience were highly valued both by the late Sir. Alfred Krupp and by the present proprietor of the firm, Mr. Friedrich Alfred Krupp, and by his colleagues in the direction. Some twenty years ago he took part on behalf of the Essen firm, together with several English and Spanish firms, in the purchase of some Spanish iron ore mines, and in the formation of the Orconera Iron Ore Co. for working them, of which he was managing director in London.
His death took place at his residence at Denmark Hill, London, on 27th November 1893, in the sixty-seventh year of his age. He became an Associate of this Institution in 1865.
1894 Obituary [4]
ALFRED LONGSDON was born in Southwark on the 22nd of May, 1827.
At sixteen years of age he was articled to the late Joseph Clinton Robertson, who was in practice as a consulting engineer and patent agent and was also editor of the Mechanics’ Magazine.
After serving a pupilage of four years he was taken on to the staff of Robertson, Brooman and Co, and was employed in the drawing office and in the preparation of specifications.
Mr. Longsdon remained in that position until 1855, when he became connected with the well-known German firm of Messrs. Fried. Krupp, of which he was appointed London representative in the following year. He was now engaged in the introduction into England of the steel manufactured by this firm for various engineering purposes, chiefly for use on railways, and took an active part in bringing about the adoption of this metal for tires and axles.
In July, 1873, he joined the board of directors at Essen, still retaining, however, the management of the London office. As a member of the board he assisted in conducting the general business of the firm and took a prominent part in many of the alterations and additions carried out in the cast-steel works at Essen and in the furnaces and mines belonging to the undertaking. For this purpose Mr. Longsdon was in the habit of visiting Essen for several months at a time at regular intervals, and in fact spent a part of each year there until within four or five years of his death.
About the year 1874 Mr. Longsdon, in conjunction with Messrs. Fried. Krupp and some English and Spanish firms, purchased iron ore mines in Spain and formed the Orconera Iron Ore Company for the purpose of working them. He was a member of the board of that Company and acted as Managing Director in London until his death, which occurred after a long and painful illness on the 27th of November, 1893.
Owing to his sound judgment, practical views and great experience, united to personal amiability, Mr. Longsdon was highly valued both by the late Mr. Alfred Krupp and by the present Mr. Friedrich Krupp, with whom in the course of years intimate friendship was established.
Mr. Longsdon was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 7th of April, 1868, and was transferred to the class of Member on the 6th of March, 1888.
1894 Obituary [5]
ALFRED LONGSDON died at Denmark Hill, London, on November 27, 1893, at the age of sixty-seven. He was born on May 22, 1827, and entered the service of Mr. Alfred Krupp of Essen in 1855.
In 1865 he was appointed the firm's representative for Great Britain, and in 1873 became one of the directors. In that year, on behalf of the Essen firm, he took part in the formation of the Orconera Iron Ore Company, of which he was managing director in London.
He was one of the original members of the Iron and Steel Institute, and on his death bequeathed to the Institute a valuable marble bust of Alfred Krupp.
1893 Obituary [6]