Robert Bryson
Robert Bryson FRSE (25 August 1778 – 8 August 1852) was a chronometer and clock maker in Edinburgh. He received the Royal Warrant as Watch and Clock Maker to Queen Victoria.
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Notable Clocks
"Congreve" Rolling Ball Clock (1804)
Robert Bryson made a rolling ball clock in 1804, four years before the design was patented by William Congreve. It is on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.[1]
Sidereal Clock for the Calton Hill Observatory (1832)
He made a sidereal clock for the City Observatory, formerly the Calton Hill Observatory,[2] where it was used by Professor Thomas Henderson in his observations.
Heriot-Watt University connection
A conversation with Leonard Horner in Robert Bryson's watchmakers shop[3] led to the founding of the School of Arts of Edinburgh which became Heriot-Watt University.
Personal life and death
He married Janet Gillespie (1788–1858) on 29 December 1815 in the parish of North Leith. They had four sons and two daughters:
- Alexander Bryson (1816–1866) - Biologist and Geologist.
- William Gillespie Bryson (1818-1906)
- Robert Bryson (1819–1886) - who followed him into the watch and clock business and became, amongst other things, Master of the Merchant Company - married Mary Ann Braund Box - buried in Warriston Cemetery
- Margaret Muir Bryson (1821–1873)
- James Mackay Bryson (1824–1894)
- Helen Cockburn Bryson (1826–1912)
He died 8 August 1852 and is buried in New Calton Cemetery along with his wife, Jane, son Alexander and other family members.
References
- "Congreve rolling ball clock". National Museums Scotland.
- Astronomical Society of Edinburgh. "Instruments of the City Observatory". Retrieved 27-01-2020.
- "The Edinburgh School of Arts | Heriot-Watt University". Hw.ac.uk. Retrieved 2017-06-21.