James Kennedy (engineer)

James Kennedy {13 Jan 1797 - 25 Sep 1886) was a Scottish locomotive and marine engineer. James Kennedy was born in the village of Gilmerton near Edinburgh, Scotland.^[1]

Career

Early years

He was apprenticed at the age of 13 to a millwright near Dalkeith, where he remained for five years. He spent some years working as a millwright, working with winding and pumping engines at several places before moving to Lavenoch Hall, near Hamilton, where he was employed to erect pumping and winding engines of his own design.

Robert Stephenson and Company

In Liverpool to supervise the installation of a marine engine, he met George Stephenson, the locomotive pioneer. Stephenson was then establishing his locomotive works, Robert Stephenson and Company, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and appointed Kennedy manager in 1824. While in this post he constructed two pairs of stationary winding engines and planned the first three locomotives for the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825.

Bury, Curtis and Kennedy

In 1825 he left Stephenson to return to Liverpool as manager of Mather, Dixon and Company but very soon joined locomotive builder Edward Bury and Company as foreman of the Clarence Foundry. In 1842 he became a partner in the firm, now renamed Bury, Curtis and Kennedy.

Thomas Vernon and Son

In 1844 he moved again to manage the Liverpool shipmaker Thomas Vernon and Son where he introduced iron deck beams.

Professional appointments

He was a founder member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1847, becoming its President in 1860.

Death

He died in 1886 at his home, Cressington Park, Garston, near Liverpool. He was survived by his wife, Adelaide.

References