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Stevenson, Robert 1772-1850
Scottish engineer

Born in Glasgow, he lost his father in infancy, and in 1798 his mother married Thomas Smith, first engineer of the Northern Lighthouse Board. Stevenson took to engineering, and in 1796 succeeded his stepfather. During his 47 years' tenure of office he planned or constructed 23 Scottish lighthouses, most notably that on the Bell Rock off Arbroath, employing the catoptric system of illumination, and his own invention of intermittent or flashing lights. He also acted as a consulting engineer for roads, bridges, harbours, canals and railways.