Henry Robertson (Q59849)

Henry Robertson (1816-1888) from Banff, Alberta, Canada, was a civil engineer, ironmaster, coalmaster as well as company director. He was an MA graduate of Aberdeen University. His early interests revolved around mining engineering, but he later devoted himself mainly to railway engineering and construction. He came to Wales in 1842 (at just 26 yeras of age) to restructure and to revitalise the coal and iron concerns of John Wilkinson - the famous Brymbo ironworks. He is credited with reviatlizing the decaying industrial area of Denbighshire. Realizing that, in order to ensure the success of the iron-works and collieries, a railway to this area was essential, he and his friends promoted the North Wales Mineral Railway - the first of a number of measure which Robertson piloted through parliament. He was the Liberal MP for Shrewsbury between 1862 and 1865, and again between 1874 and 1885 and for Merionethshire between 1885 and 1886. Later he seceded from the Liberal Party on the introduction of Gladstone's Irish Home Rule Bill. He was later to concentrate on railway construction and was responsible for the railway from Chester to Shrewsbury. and other rail links. He also maintained a number of other commercial enterprises. In 1869, he bought the Pale estate, Llandderfel, Merionethshire and he was the founder of the Brymbo steel works in 1884. His nephew John William Dean inherited his money, papers and plans and his son Henry Beyer Robertson the remainder of his estate. Henry Robertson was also one of the trustees of the Wynnstay estates.