Richard Roberts

:See Richard J. Roberts for the Nobel Prize winning biochemist.

Sharp, Roberts & Co.

When developing his textiles machines, Roberts took as partners Thomas Sharp, an iron merchant, and his brother Robert Chapman, Thomas Jones Wilkinson and James Hill. They formed two firms, Sharp Hill & Co and Roberts, Hills & Co, and in May 1826 these were amalgamated to form Sharp, Roberts & Co. The firm later became well-known for making locomotives. In 1834 Charles Beyer joined the firm.

Related Topics:
Thomas Sharp - May - 1826 - 1834 - Charles Beyer

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Roberts was a prolific inventor and manufacturer, ranging over turret clock-making, to road vehicles, to iron ship building, to a punching machine, operating on the same system as the Jacquered Loom, for punching the rivet holes in the iron plates making up the railway bridge over the river Conwy in North Wales.

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He was not a particularly successful businessman, and Sharp,Roberts & Co. closed in June 1852. His continued as a consulting engineer and inventor until his death, taking out 18 patents. In 1860,aged 71 he moved to London, where be became financially distressed. Various friends, almost all engineers, raised a fund to help him, but he died in his daughter's arms in London 11 March,1864 aged 75. He was buried at Kensal Green Cemetery, London. His daughter later received a Civil List pension in recognition of her father's achievements.

Related Topics:
Patent - Civil List

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