James Rodger (c1815-1873), of Smith and Rodger, engineer of Glasgow.
1873 Obituary [1]
The older generation of men, who by their genius and enterprise have made the Clyde famous throughout the world for shipbuilding and marine engineering, have almost all been called away from their useful labours. Within the last dozen years or so David Napier, the father of Clyde marine engineering, has been followed to the tomb, in rapid succession, by many who owed their professional skill and success to his instructions, and by others who profited by his example. David Elder, and his distinguished son John, David Tod, and John and Peter M'Gregor, James and George Thomson, and Thomas Wingate, are among the persons whose names are suggested at the moment.
Robert Napier happily survives, and in his green old age wears his well-won laurels ; but within the last few days another eminent name has been added to the list of the departed. Mr. James Rodger (of the firm of Smith and Rodger, now merged in the London and Glasgow Shipbuilding and Engineering Company, Limited), died on Sunday last, after a few hours' illness, at his residence in Glasgow.
The deceased gentleman had attained nearly 60 years of age.