Sir Robert McAlpine
("Concrete Bob")

1847 - 1934

Entrepreneur, known as "Concrete Bob". Born in Newarthill (North Lanarkshire), McAlpine left school at the age of 10 to work in a coal mine, but soon became an apprentice bricklayer. He went on to build roads, public buildings and other works including the original Wembley Stadium in London, some of the tunnelling for the Glasgow Underground and the Singer Sewing Machine Co. factory in Clydebank. McAlpine built up a large building and civil engineering firm, which continues to exist today. McAlpine was also a pioneer in the use of concrete and labour-saving machinery.

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