Donaldson , John , 1841-1899 , civil servant and engineer

John Donaldson was born in Aberdeen, later studying Engineering at Glasgow University. It was here that he met fellow pupil John Isaac Thornycroft, who became a lifelong friend. After graduating, Donaldson worked in Calcutta for the Department of Public Works. It was whilst in India that he married John Thornycroft's sister, Frances. Returning to England in 1873 due to Frances' ill health, Donaldson joined Thornycroft as a partner in his boatyard at Chiswick. It was here that Donaldson's skill as an engineer came into its own, designing and working on various craft, especially fast torpedo boats, for which the company became famous. John Donaldson lived and worked in Chiswick until his relatively early death in 1899, aged 58.