Richard Maudslay a direct descendant

Richard Maudslay a direct descendant of Henry Maudslay the founder of the engineering company which manufactured the lifting mechanism for the Nelson Monument time ball and the trustees of the Maudslay Society will be visiting Edinburgh on Saturday, 26th June.

A talk will be given by Roger Kinns on the history of the Nelson Monument time ball at the headquarters of Edinburgh World Heritage, 5 Charlotte Square at 11.00 am. James Nasmyth the Edinburgh - born inventor of the steam hammer served his apprenticeship with the engineering company. His father Alexander was commissioned to design the Nelson Monument but his plan was dropped due to lack of funds.

Following his apprenticeship, James opened a workshop in the Broughton area of Edinburgh behind Douglass’s Foundry. When the engineer retired he concentrated on his favourite subjects - photography and astronomy.

In addition to a plaque being placed on the house where he was born at 47 York Place, the engineer also has a crater on the Moon named after him.

The illustration shows James Nasmyth’s first workshop.