Robert Patterson

Robert Charles Patterson (21 March 1844 – 21 June 1907) was an Australian engineer, remembered for his work on railways in three colonies, the Australian Overland Telegraph Line (OTL), and civic works in Tasmania, where he served a term in the House of Assembly.

History Patterson was born in Melbourne, son of Mary Jane Patterson, a daughter of George Keys of Dandenong, and James Patterson, a merchant, who died around 1850. Mrs Patterson married again, in 1856, to James Jamieson, of County Tyrone, also her birthplace.

He was educated at the Collegiate School, St Kilda, where he won the gold medal in two consecutive semesters in 1857

He went on to King's College, London, where he studied engineering and was articled to William Wilson M. Inst, C.E., of Westminster. Wilson was known for his work on the Victoria Bridge, the first railway bridge over the Thames. then W. T. Doyne demolished their own case in cross-examination by self-incrimination. surveying the Launceston and Western Railway, from Launceston to Deloraine. Patterson later referred to Doyne in complimentary terms.

In 1867 Patterson decided on a new strategy, dividing the remaining length into four sections to be completed concurrently, with most resources concentrated on the most northerly section. Whether he made up the lost time is debatable, as Patterson fared no better than his predecessors in the battle with the seasons and distances, finishing his section eight and a half months late.

He became Government deputy engineer-in-chief in 1880 and did work on jetties and other harbor works.

He died following a cerebral haemorrhage which happened during a board meeting at Hobart on 21 June 1907, and his remains were buried in Queenborough Cemetery.

On 16 October 1869 he married Charlotte Elizabeth Ingram, a daughter of Rev. William Ingram, at St John's Church, Adelaide. They had an adopted son (later Dr) James Patterson.

Publications R. C. Patterson C.E. (1870) Light Railways, and the Agency to be Employed in their Construction Republished from The Register