Robert Bell

Robert Bell (29 December 1864 – 12 April 1934) was an Irish riveter with Harland & Wolff and amateur geologist, mineral and fossil collector. He was described by Robert Lloyd Praeger as "the working-man naturalist."

Early life Robert Bell was born in Ballycreen, County Down in 1864. Sources conflict on his exact date of birth, the possibilities being 20 May, 22 May, Over time Bell was recognised as an authority on local geology, aiding visiting scientists, led many field trips, and prepared and catalogued specimens. In particular his skill with a geology hammer was noted, He assisted Dr W.F. Hume of the Egyptian Geological Survey, and George William Lamplugh of the Geological Survey of Ireland.

Later life Bell worked in the shipyards for forty years, and was laid off in 1924. By this point Bell had become deaf, and suffered from depression at first, but then dedicated himself to his scientific work. Owing to an application of a number of prominent Ulster intellectuals, Bell was awarded a civil-list pension in 1930. Bell's son James worked at the Royal Belfast Academical Institution, was a fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, working in the fields of chemistry and medicine. Bell and his wife had four other children, including two daughters. He died on 12 April 1934 in Belfast.

A blue plaque to Robert Bell was unveiled in Ballynahinch, near his birthplace of Ballycreen.