Charles Stevenson (1855--1950)

The son of David Stevenson and brother of David, Charles was an engineering problem-solver, working to effect improvements in optics and illuminants and in the efficiency of foghorns. In 1888--89 his brother, David, became seriously ill; this resulted in Charles having to cope not only with his own private consultancy work, but also David's lighthouse work. In the 1890s, he all but developed his own form of wireless communication, before Marconi perfected his system. He did not work directly for the NLB but was involved in lighthouse improvements. In later years, Charles was frequently in London attending parliamentary enquiries on harbours and rivers. He officially retired in 1940, at the age of 85.