Description

Hardwood framed portrait photograph by Lafayette of Sir William Arrol dating from c.1897 understood to have come from one of the Arrol Company offices. It has a brass plate on the bottom rail of the frame bearing the words “Sir William Arrol LL.D. M.P. PRESIDENT 1895-97” [presumed to be the President of the Institution of Engineers & Shipbuilders in Scotland].

This image was published alongside an obituary to Sir William in The Engineer edition of 28 February 1913. This obituary may be read at http://https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/William_Arrol (pages 230-231).

Sir William Arrol (1839-1913) was a bridge builder. His most notable constructions include the Tay Bridge, the Forth Bridge and Tower Bridge in London.

Lafayette was founded in Dublin in 1880 and became a leading photographic business in the late XIX and early XX centuries. The firm operated from a number of studios throughout the United Kingdom. The Glasgow Studio was opened in Gordon Street in 1890 where this photograph may have been taken.