ROBERT NAISMITH
Designation: AUTHOUR AND DRAPER
Born: 31ST AUGUST 1832
Died: 3RD MARCH 1898
Bio Notes:
Robert Naismith, draper and historian, was born in Stonehouse on 31st August 1832, the eldest child of James Naismith (born 28.8.1796, Glassford) and Margaret Scott (married 4.11.1831). His forebears came from Jackton near East Kilbride. He married Bethia Browning Paterson at East Kilbride on 17th August 1864, and they resided at Crossview at the corner of King Street.
Robert took an active part in the affairs of Stonehouse but will be remembered most, perhaps, for his ‘Stonehouse: Historical and Traditional’ published in 1885, where he propounded for the first time the theory of the origin of the name of Stonehouse. He also traced the proprietors of the Barony from the earliest period down to the time of his writing. As an historian he was responsible for several publications including:
The story of Christianity in Scotland
The story of our English Bible
The story of the Kirk 1865
Stonehouse: Historical and Traditional 1885
Robert and James Haldane: Two worthy workers of bygone days 1893
Rev. James Hamilton D.D.: A Memoir 1895
The Merchant Martyr of Stonehouse (booklet)
Robert’s interest in local and religious history was thoroughly researched and documented throwing light on the characteristic features of a bygone age in Stonehouse. He was an extremely active member of the community, involved in many local organisations and county committees. In April 1878, the Heritable Investment Bank (Ltd) opened under his management.
Throughout the latter half of the 19th century, Robert Naismith lectured to various organisations, on his extensive knowledge of the church, the village and its history. He also built the house of Westlea, Vicars Road,
Robert’s son Robert Johnstone Naismith, also a draper at Crossview, was Chairman of the School Board when the new infant department at Townhead School was opened in 1912.
Robert J. Naismith’s son Robert Naismith, also born at Crossview, was a famous radio scientist. He was a pioneer and inventor of automatic equipment for ionospheric measurements and a member of Sir Robert Watson-Watt’s team in radar research before and during the war, as well as author of a number of scientific publications. His death in 1973 marked the end of this branch of the Naismith family.
Source: J Young