James LeslieFRSE (25 September 1801–29 December 1889) was a Scottish civil engineer specialising in docks, harbours bridges and reservoirs, largely on the east coast of Scotland. He was also an amateur meteorologist.[1]
River Leven and Old Leven Bridge by John LeslieWest Wemyss HarbourClatto ReservoirSpillway, Edgelaw ReservoirThe grave of James Leslie, Dean Cemetery, Edinburgh
He was born in Largo, Fife on 25 September 1801 the son of Archibald Leslie, an architect-builder, and attended school both in Largo and nearby in Newburn. He was then sent to Benjamin Mackay’s Latin Academy in Edinburgh and from there to the University of Edinburgh to study maths and physics under his uncle, Professor John Leslie.[1] In 1818 he was articled to William Henry Playfair as an architect, but in 1824 he left this position to pursue engineering. He obtained a place with James Rennie working in the London Docks and on the London Bridge project.
In 1828 he returned to Edinburgh to take a job as Resident Engineer in Leith Docks. In 1830 he lived at 19 Constitution Street in Leith, located close to the main east entrance to the docks (fragments of the house remain).[2] In 1832 he moved to be Resident Engineer of Dundee Harbour. He was assisted in Dundee by Charles Ower.[3]
In 1846 he returned to Edinburgh to begin work on several reservoir projects for the Edinburgh Water Company. In 1869 he returned to Dundee to involve in several projects to improve its water supply.
From 1871 his son Alexander joined his firm and it was thereafter known as J & A Leslie. From 1875 almost all work was done by Alexander.[5]
He broke his leg in a carriage accident around 1880 and never fully recovered.[1] He was confined to bed for the last 6 months of his life. In partnership with his son and son-in-law (see below) he ran Leslie & Reid from offices at 2 Charlotte Square.
He died at home, 11 Portland Place in Leith[6] on 29 December 1889. He is buried in Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh. The grave lies on the outer wall near the beginning of the south-west spur.
Familyedit
He was married to Jane Hunter (1804-1887). Their son Alexander LeslieFRSE (1844-1893), also a civil engineer, formed a partnership with his brother-in-law (James’ son-in-law) Robert Carstairs Reid to create Leslie & Reid.
His grandson James Leslie (1881-1921) was also a civil engineer.
^(PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. July 2006. ISBN0-902-198-84-X. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 January 2013. Retrieved 11 August 2016.
^"Alexander Leslie". Graces Guide. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
^Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1888-89
^"Dictionary of Scottish Architects". scottisharchitects.org.uk. Retrieved 11 August 2018.
December 18, 2023
james, leslie, engineer, james, leslie, frse, september, 1801, december, 1889, scottish, civil, engineer, specialising, docks, harbours, bridges, reservoirs, largely, east, coast, scotland, also, amateur, meteorologist, contents, life, family, main, works, ref. James Leslie FRSE 25 September 1801 29 December 1889 was a Scottish civil engineer specialising in docks harbours bridges and reservoirs largely on the east coast of Scotland He was also an amateur meteorologist 1 Contents 1 Life 2 Family 3 Main works 4 ReferencesLife edit nbsp River Leven and Old Leven Bridge by John Leslie nbsp West Wemyss Harbour nbsp Clatto Reservoir nbsp Spillway Edgelaw Reservoir nbsp The grave of James Leslie Dean Cemetery EdinburghHe was born in Largo Fife on 25 September 1801 the son of Archibald Leslie an architect builder and attended school both in Largo and nearby in Newburn He was then sent to Benjamin Mackay s Latin Academy in Edinburgh and from there to the University of Edinburgh to study maths and physics under his uncle Professor John Leslie 1 In 1818 he was articled to William Henry Playfair as an architect but in 1824 he left this position to pursue engineering He obtained a place with James Rennie working in the London Docks and on the London Bridge project In 1828 he returned to Edinburgh to take a job as Resident Engineer in Leith Docks In 1830 he lived at 19 Constitution Street in Leith located close to the main east entrance to the docks fragments of the house remain 2 In 1832 he moved to be Resident Engineer of Dundee Harbour He was assisted in Dundee by Charles Ower 3 In 1846 he returned to Edinburgh to begin work on several reservoir projects for the Edinburgh Water Company In 1869 he returned to Dundee to involve in several projects to improve its water supply In 1858 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh his proposer being David Stevenson 4 From 1871 his son Alexander joined his firm and it was thereafter known as J amp A Leslie From 1875 almost all work was done by Alexander 5 He broke his leg in a carriage accident around 1880 and never fully recovered 1 He was confined to bed for the last 6 months of his life In partnership with his son and son in law see below he ran Leslie amp Reid from offices at 2 Charlotte Square He died at home 11 Portland Place in Leith 6 on 29 December 1889 He is buried in Dean Cemetery in western Edinburgh The grave lies on the outer wall near the beginning of the south west spur Family editHe was married to Jane Hunter 1804 1887 Their son Alexander Leslie FRSE 1844 1893 also a civil engineer formed a partnership with his brother in law James son in law Robert Carstairs Reid to create Leslie amp Reid His grandson James Leslie 1881 1921 was also a civil engineer Main works editSee 7 Western breakwater Leith Docks 1830 Wet dock Dysart 1830 Earl Grey Dock Dundee 1832 as supervisor Tide Harbour at Camperdown Dock Dundee 1833 Victoria Dock and Swing Bridge Dundee 1833 The Telford Light Dundee 1834 Patent Slipway Dundee 1837 Harbour Workshops Dundee 1837 Rebuilding of Methil Harbour and Docks 1838 Wet Dock and Harbour Arbroath 1839 Dundee Custom House 1839 with John Taylor as architect Locks on the Monkland Canal 1830 Bridge at Leven Fife 1839 Bridge at Aldbar Castle 1843 Raising James Jardine s Glencorse Reservoir 1845 Finlathen Aqueduct 1845 Extension to pier at Burntisland 1846 Improvements to the Old East Dock Leith 1846 Aqueduct at Burnhouse of Duntrune Angus 1848 Aqueduct at Gagie Angus 1848 Aqueduct at Murroes 1848 Dock buildings and Custom House Montrose 1853 Sea Wall north of St Andrews Cathedral 1856 East Pier at Stranraer Harbour 1861 Harbour at West Wemyss 1872 Lawton reservoir Dundee 1873 Clatto Reservoir Dundee 1874 Alnwickhill Reservoir 1875 plus second phase in 1888 Water Tower in Dalkeith 1879 Gladhouse Reservoir 1879 Edgelaw Reservoir 1880 Rosebery Reservoir 1880 Williamwath Bridge Dumfriesshire 1882 References edit a b c James Leslie Graces Guide Retrieved 11 August 2018 Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1830 31 Graces Guide Charles Ower Biographical Index of Former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783 2002 PDF The Royal Society of Edinburgh July 2006 ISBN 0 902 198 84 X Archived from the original PDF on 24 January 2013 Retrieved 11 August 2016 Alexander Leslie Graces Guide Retrieved 11 August 2018 Edinburgh and Leith Post Office Directory 1888 89 Dictionary of Scottish Architects scottisharchitects org uk Retrieved 11 August 2018 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title James Leslie engineer amp oldid 1141315099, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
