Robert Macmillan Murdoch
Robert Macmillan Murdoch (1844-1901)
1901 Obituary [1]
ROBERT MACMILLAN MURDOCH was born at Old Cumnock, Ayrshire, on 3rd March 1844, and was educated in his native town.
He served an apprenticeship from 1861 to 1866 with Messrs. McCartney and Co., a local firm of engineers and millwrights.
On its termination, he entered the works of Messrs. James Aitken and Co., Glasgow.
Shortly afterwards he went to sea as engineer in a new steamer, and sailed in African waters for nearly two years, returning in 1868.
In 1869 he entered the drawing office of Messrs. A. and W. Smith and Co., and subsequently became chief draughtsman and assistant engineer to the Tharsis Sulphur and Copper Co., Glasgow; afterwards he acted in the same capacity to the India Rubber, Guttapercha, and Telegraph Works, Silvertown, London, being associated with many important extensions and reconstructions in both concerns.
In 1884 he was appointed manager at the Rio Tinto Copper Co.'s Works at Cwm Avon, South Wales. These works had been disused for some time, and were virtually reconstructed by him and put into working order on modern lines.
In 1888 he became manager to the Phoenix Metal Die and Engineering Co., Blackfriars, London, producing among other things iron folding gates. Eventually he entered into partnership, and bought the business, continuing and extending the manufacture of folding gates.
His health having failed, he was ordered perfect rest, and retired to Cwm Avon, where his death took place on 8th June 1901, at the age of fifty-seven.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1891.