Archibald Barr facts for kids

Archibald Barr (born November 18, 1855, died August 5, 1931) was a clever Scottish engineer, inventor, and businessman. He helped start a company called Barr & Stroud. He also invented the Barr & Stroud Rangefinder, a special tool for measuring distances.

Archibald Barr's Early Life and School

Archibald Barr was born in Glenfield House in Paisley, Scotland. His father, also named Archibald Barr, was a yarn merchant. Archibald went to Paisley Grammar School.

After school, he trained to be an engineer. He worked at A F Craig & Co in Paisley. Later, he went to the University of Glasgow to study engineering.

Archibald Barr's University Career

Archibald Barr first worked as an assistant. He helped James Thomson, a professor at the University of Glasgow. Later, Archibald himself became a professor there.

In 1884, he became a professor at the Yorkshire College. This college later became the University of Leeds. In 1889, he returned to Glasgow as a professor of engineering.

Archibald Barr worked hard to improve engineering education. In 1898, he helped create a new course. This course was for Electrical Engineering at Glasgow University. In 1901, he raised a lot of money. He used it to build a new engineering building. It was called the James Watt Engineering Building.

Other Cool Things Archibald Barr Did

Archibald Barr loved cars and planes. He was part of the Scottish Automobile Club. In 1901, he helped organize Scotland's first car races. These races tested how reliable cars were.

He also helped start the Scottish Aeronautical Club in 1909. He became its president. He also helped plan Scotland's first aviation meeting. This event, where planes flew, happened in Lanark in 1910.

He was also the President of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland. This was from 1910 to 1911. Archibald Barr also helped a special institution. It cared for people with learning difficulties.

He also gave £8,000 to Paisley Abbey. This money helped pay for a new organ.

Awards and Honors

When Archibald Barr retired in 1915, he received a special award. The University of Glasgow gave him an honorary degree. It was called a Doctor of Laws (LLD). In 1923, he was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This is a very important scientific honor.

Family Life

Archibald Barr married Isabella Young in 1885.

When Archibald Barr Died

Archibald Barr passed away on August 5, 1931. He was 75 years old. He died at his home near Milngavie, Scotland.

Important Roles Archibald Barr Held

• President of the Royal Philosophical Society (Glasgow)
• President of the Institution of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland
• President of the Scottish Aeronautical Society
• President of the Optical Society, London