Alma mater Edinburgh University Died 1938 Grandparents Robert Stevenson Role Engineer Cousins Robert Louis Stevenson | Name David Stevenson Children D. E. Stevenson Occupation Lighthouse engineer Parents David Stevenson | |
Employer Northern Lighthouse Board Relatives Charles Alexander Stevenson (brother) Similar People Thomas Stevenson, Robert Stevenson, Robert Louis Stevenson | ||
David Alan Stevenson FRSE MIME FRSSA MICE (1854 in Edinburgh – 1938) was a lighthouse engineer who built twenty six lighthouses in and around Scotland.
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Biography
He was born on 21 July 1854 the son of David Stevenson and his wife, Elizabeth Mackay. His early years were spent at their home at 8 Forth Street in the eastern section of the New Town in Edinburgh. The family later moved to 45 Melville Street.
He was part of the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse engineers, including brother Charles Stevenson, uncle Thomas Stevenson, and grandfather Robert Stevenson. His cousin was the author Robert Louis Stevenson.
Stevenson was educated at Edinburgh Academy (1865-70) and the University of Edinburgh.
Stevenson died at his home, "Troqueer", in the Kingsknowe area of Edinburgh on 11 April 1938. He is buried in Dean Cemetery. The simple grave lies near the north-east corner of the first north extension, but he is also memorialised on the main family grave in the main cemetery. His younger brother Charles Alexander Stevenson lies alongside his true grave.
Family
In 1882 he married Annie Roberts (1862-1945). The family resided in Edinburgh. Their daughter Dorothy Emily was born in 1892; she became a best-selling author of more than 40 books published under the name D. E. Stevenson. A commemorative plaque marks the house.
Career
In 1884 Stevenson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His proposers were William Swan, Peter Guthrie Tait, Robert Mackay Smith, and George Chrystal.
Between 1885 and 1886 he built three lighthouses with his uncle Thomas, and over the following 50 years, built a further 23 with his brother Charles.
From 1904 he was assisted by John Davidson Gardner who became his Chief assistant in 1911.
He retired aged 83 in March 1938.
Lighthouses of David A Stevenson
Stevenson worked on 26 lighthouses during his career. Among them are: