Andrew Wilson Baird facts for kids
Andrew Wilson Baird was a Scottish colonel in the Royal Engineers. He was born on April 26, 1842, and passed away on April 2, 1908. He is best known for his important work studying the tides along the coast of India.
Andrew Wilson Baird's Life Story
Andrew Wilson Baird was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1842. He went to Marischal College in Aberdeen for his education. Later, he joined the Military College of the East India Company at Addiscombe in 1860. In 1861, he moved to the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.
In 1862, Andrew became a lieutenant in the Royal Engineers. This is a special part of the British Army. They are engineers who build things like bridges and fortifications. He traveled to India in 1864.
Working in India
In India, Andrew became an assistant engineer. He helped build defenses for Bombay harbour. He was in charge of building important forts at Oyster Rock and Middle Ground.
Later, he joined an expedition in Abyssinia in 1868. After that, he became an assistant superintendent. He worked on the trigonometrical survey of India. This means he helped map the land very precisely. He also did a lot of work studying the tides in the Gulf of Kutch.
The hot weather in India made him return to England briefly in 1870. But he soon went back to India. He continued his important work observing the tides. He was promoted to captain in 1874 and major in 1881.
Later Career and Recognition
From 1885 to 1889, Andrew led the mints in Calcutta and Bombay. Mints are places where money is made. He became the permanent mint master in Calcutta in 1889.
He was promoted to colonel in 1896. He retired from the mint the next year. He then made his home near Elgin, Moray, in Scotland.
In 1885, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very respected group for scientists. He also received the Order of the Star of India award in 1897.
Andrew Wilson Baird was the father of General Sir Douglas Baird.
He passed away on April 2, 1908. He was buried in Highgate Cemetery in London.
