Robert Bryson
Robert Bryson FRSE was a chronometer and clock maker in Edinburgh. He received the Royal Warrant as Watch and Clock Maker to Queen Victoria.Notable Clocks
Robert Bryson made a rolling ball clock in 1804, four years before the design was patented by William Congreve. It is on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.He made a sidereal clock for the City Observatory, formerly the Calton Hill Observatory, where it was used by Professor Thomas Henderson in his observations.A conversation with Leonard Horner in Robert Bryson's watchmakers shop led to the founding of the School of Arts of Edinburgh which became Heriot-Watt University.He married Janet Gillespie on 29 December 1815 in the parish of North Leith. They had four sons and two daughters:
- Alexander Bryson - Biologist and Geologist.
- William Gillespie Bryson
- Robert Bryson - who followed him into the watch and clock business and became, amongst other things, Master of the Merchant Company - buried in Warriston Cemetery
- Margaret Muir Bryson
- James Mackay Bryson
- Helen Cockburn Bryson
He died 8 August 1852 and is buried in New Calton Cemetery along with his wife, Jane, son Alexander and other family members.
