MESSRS. BARCLAY, CURLE & COMPANY Limited, claim to be the oldest shipbuilding firm in Glasgow or on the upper reaches of the Clyde. The Chairman of the company is a son of the late Archibald Gilchrist, engineer and shipbuilder, was born in Glasgow, 16th February, 1847, and received his education at Free St. Peter's School, Partick Academy, and Glasgow Mechanics' Institute. After serving an apprenticeship with the firm, he gradually received promotion, was made a partner in 1880, and in 1900, on the death of Sir Andrew Maclean, he became chairman of the business. He is a member of the Council of the Institution of Naval Architects, and his been President of the Institute of Engineers and Shipbuilders in Scotland. He is a member of the Merchants' House, the Trades' House, the Chamber of Commerce, the Grand Antiquity Society of Glasgow, and the Weavers' Society of Anderston. He is also a member of the Clyde Trust and of the Technical Committee of Lloyds' Register. Further, he is a member of the Town Council of Cove and Kilcreggan, where his coast residence ("Belmont") is situated. He has been Deacon of the Incorporation of Hammermen, and was one of the founders of the St. Andrew's Ambulance Association.
    Mr. Gilchrist married, in 1871, Janet, daughter of John M'Auslan, timber merchant, Dunbarton, by whom he has two daughters and four sons.

Back to Index of Glasgow Men (1909)