Evan Leigh
Encyclopedia
Evan Leigh was an author, inventor, engineer and manufacturer of cotton spinning equipment. His invention of the twin screw for steam ships was patented in July 1849 and taken up both for mercantile and British Navy fleet.
, Lancashire
. He was the son of Peter Leigh, a Cotton Mill owner. Upon leaving school aged 16 he spent two years in Europe studying and observing engineering and science. When he returned home he took up employment in the families cotton spinning mill. After about 25 years he retired from cotton spinning and took up the manufacture of cotton spinning machinery. He patented among other things the Self Stripping Engine, the Derby Doubler or Lap Machine and the Loose Boss Top Roller. Suppying machines world wide from his Collyhurst Works in Miles Platting
, Manchester
after moving from Cotton Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.
He married Anne Allen the daughter of James Allen Esq in Prestbury, Cheshire
on 28 September 1831 they went on to have eight surviving children, three boys and five girls.
In 1870 he published a pamphlet: "A plan for conveying railway trains across the Straights of Dover". In 1871 he published: "The Science of Modern Cotton Spinning" which by his death five years later had been reprinted three times selling worldwide.
Mr Leigh died at his home: Clarence House, Chorlton-on-Medlock
after a bout of chronic bronchitis on Wednesday 2 February 1876 in his 66th year.
A portrait of Evan Leigh is in the possession of the National Portrait Gallery in London.
Biography
He was born in Ashton-under-LyneAshton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it lies on the north bank of the River Tame, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines...
, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
. He was the son of Peter Leigh, a Cotton Mill owner. Upon leaving school aged 16 he spent two years in Europe studying and observing engineering and science. When he returned home he took up employment in the families cotton spinning mill. After about 25 years he retired from cotton spinning and took up the manufacture of cotton spinning machinery. He patented among other things the Self Stripping Engine, the Derby Doubler or Lap Machine and the Loose Boss Top Roller. Suppying machines world wide from his Collyhurst Works in Miles Platting
Miles Platting
Miles Platting is an inner city district of Manchester, England. It is east-northeast of Manchester city centre, along the course of the Rochdale Canal and A62 road...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
after moving from Cotton Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.
He married Anne Allen the daughter of James Allen Esq in Prestbury, Cheshire
Prestbury, Cheshire
Prestbury is a village, civil parish and ecclesiastical parish in the unitary authority of Cheshire East and the ceremonial county of Cheshire, England. Prestbury is a long, narrow parish covering 1,165 hectares to the west of the Peak Park foothills and to the east of the sandstone ridge which is...
on 28 September 1831 they went on to have eight surviving children, three boys and five girls.
In 1870 he published a pamphlet: "A plan for conveying railway trains across the Straights of Dover". In 1871 he published: "The Science of Modern Cotton Spinning" which by his death five years later had been reprinted three times selling worldwide.
Mr Leigh died at his home: Clarence House, Chorlton-on-Medlock
Chorlton-on-Medlock
Chorlton-on-Medlock is an inner city area of Manchester, England.Historically a part of Lancashire, the northern border of Chorlton-on-Medlock is the River Medlock which runs immediately south of Manchester city centre. Its other borders roughly correspond to Stockport Road, Hathersage Road, Moss...
after a bout of chronic bronchitis on Wednesday 2 February 1876 in his 66th year.
A portrait of Evan Leigh is in the possession of the National Portrait Gallery in London.