William Powrie
William Powrie (1840-1912)
1912 Obituary [1]
WILLIAM POWRIE was born at Dundee on 10th October 1840, and was educated at a local school.
He served his time from 1854 to 1860 as a millwright, and worked as a journeyman for a few years, during which time he was engaged in the erection of flour mills in different parts of Scotland.
In 1863 he went to Edinburgh and was employed as millwright and pattern maker in the engineering department of the Scottish Vulcanite Co., and this was followed by a period of three years in the works of Messrs. Nasmyth, Wilson and Co., Patricroft, Manchester, which he undertook in order to extend his engineering knowledge.
In 1868 he became chief draughtsman and assistant manager to Messrs. Furnival and Co., printers' engineers, Manchester, and remained there for five years, during which period he designed several new kinds of printing machines.
In 1873 Messrs. Adam and Co., printers and publishers, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, were building new works for the manufacture of printing machinery, and invited Mr. Powrie to take charge of their engineering department. Their offer was accepted and he remained with them for three years, until the firm went into liquidation.
In February 1877 he went to London to open a branch for Messrs. Furnival and Co., and remained as their general manager in London and district up to the time of his death. He always took a great interest in technical education, and frequently lectured on various subjects to classes of students.
In 1899 he read a Paper before this Institution on " Machinery for Book and General Printing."
His death took place at his residence in Clapham, London, on 19th July 1912, in his seventy-second year.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1898.