Thompson Whitworth (1857-1905)
1906 Obituary [1]
THOMPSON WHITWORTH, born at Batley, Yorkshire, on the 19th May, 1857, served his apprenticeship to Messrs. W. and J. Cardwell, Engineers, of Dewsbury, and, after gaining experience as a draughtsman with Messrs. Greenwood and Batley, of Leeds, he obtained an appointment as Engineer and Assistant Manager to Messrs. Darley and Butler, at Tuticorin, Southern India.
He served three years in this capacity, from 1881 to 1884, when, as the climate did not agree with him, he returned home, and for a short period acted as Chief Assistant Engineer to Messrs. Barford and Perkins, of Peterborough. During 1887 he obtained experience of American engineering methods as Assistant Engineer on the staff of the New Jersey Steel and Iron Company, being employed on the design of bridges and other work.
Returning to England in the following year, Mr. Whitworth was employed by various firms in the design, erection, and inspection of mining and other machinery, in connection with which he undertook a voyage to Western Australia, and also on two occasions served on the staff of Messrs. S. Pearson and Son, Contractors, first as Mechanical Engineer and Sub-Agent on the Thames Tunnel Works at Blackwall, and afterwards as their managing Mechanical Engineer for the reconstruction of the Wouldham Cement Works, which the firm had acquired for the purpose of manufacturing the cement required for their various contracts. For these works, Mr. Whitworth designed improved appliances for handling and storing cement, which proved successful and economical in operation.
He died on the 30th May, 1905, aged 48.
Mr. Whitworth was elected an Associate Member of the Institution on the 7th March, 1893.