Evan Leigh

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Evan Leigh, 21 December 1810 - 2 February 1876. Was an author, inventor, engineer and manufacturer of cotton spinning equipment. His invention of the twin screw for steam ships was patented in July 1849 and taken up both for mercantile and British Navy fleet.

He was born in Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire. He was the son of Peter Leigh, a Cotton Mill owner. Upon leaving school aged 16 he spent two years in Europe studying and observing engineering and science. When he returned home he took up employment in the families cotton spinning mill. After about 25 years he retired from cotton spinning and took up the manufacture of cotton spinning machinery. He patented among other things the Self Stripping Engine, the Derby Doubler or Lap Machine and the Loose Boss Top Roller. Suppying machines world wide from his Collyhurst Works in Miles Platting, Manchester after moving from Cotton Street, Ashton under Lyne.

He married Anne Allen the daughter of James Allen Esq in Prestbury Cheshire on 28 September 1831 they went on to have eight surviving children, three boys and five girls.

In 1870 he published a pamphlet: "A plan for conveying railway trains across the Straights of Dover". In 1871 he published: "The Science of Modern Cotton Spinning" which by his death five years later had been reprinted 3 times selling world wide.

Mr Leigh died at his home: Clarence House, Chorlton upon Medlock after a bout of chronic bronchitis on Wednesday February 2nd 1876 in his 66th year.

A portrait of Evan Leigh is in the possession of the National Portrait Gallery in London.