Anthony George Lyster

Anthony George Lyster (1852 – 17 March 1920) was a Welsh-born civil engineer. He was engineer-in-chief to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board from 1898, and joined the firm of Sir John Wolfe Barry and Partners.

Career After his pupilage, he spent time at the firm of Sir W G Armstrong and Company in Newcastle before returning to Liverpool where from 1877 he was in charge of the construction of the north and south dock extension. This was a substantial project with a cost of about £4 million and involving of quay.

Through his Mersey work, Lyster became a particular expert on the dredging of harbour channels, However, Lyster remained Consulting Engineer to the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board continuing a relationship between the Lysters and the Mersey Docks that spanned 50 years and involved spend of £13 million.

In 1911, his contribution to Liverpool was acknowledged with the Honorary Degree of Master of Engineering being conferred on him by the University of Liverpool, where he was also Associate Professor of Dock and Harbour Engineering.

Personal life

On 3 December 1892, he married Frances Laura Arabella, former wife of the explorer and author Harry de Windt, and sister of the 1st Viscount Long of Wraxall. There were no surviving children from the union, although two children were born, but did not survive long. Lyster died at 10 Gloucester Gate, Regent's Park, London, on 17 March 1920, and was buried at Bradenham, near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. His estate was left in trust for a nephew, subject to the life interest of his widow.