Update: 01-12-2024
David Alan Stevenson was born on 21 July 1854 as the 6th child of David Lillie Stevenson and his wife, Elizabeth Mackay. His early years were spent at their home at 8 Forth Street in the eastern section of the New Town in Edinburgh. The family later moved to 45 Melville Street.
David Alan was educated at Edinburgh Academy (1865–1870) and then studied Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, graduating Bachelor of Science in 1875. Later postgraduate studies: Master in Civil Engineering.
for the Inchkeith lighthouse
On 07 july 1884 David Alan Stevenson was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.
His proposers were William Swan, Peter Guthrie Tait, Robert Mackay Smith, and George Chrystal.
David Alan was Senior Engineer for the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses from 2 November 1885 to 31 March 1938.
Between 1885 and 1886 he built three lighthouses with his uncle Thomas, and over the following 50 years, built a further 23 with his brother Charles.
From 1904 he was assisted by John Davidson Gardner who became his Chief assistant in 1911. He retired aged 83 in March 1938. He was part of the famous Stevenson family of lighthouse engineers, including his brother Charles Stevenson, uncle Thomas Stevenson, and grandfather Robert Stevenson. His cousin was the author Robert Louis Stevenson.In 1882 he married Annie Roberts (1862–1945). The family resided in Edinburgh's West End at 45 Melville Street. They had two childerns, Dorothy born in 1892 and Katheleen born in 1898.
Their daughter Dorothy Emily was born 18 November 1892; she became a best-selling author of more than 40 books published. Selling in excess of seven million copies under the name D. E. Stevenson. After penning two books of poetry, her first published novel was Peter West, which originally appeared as a serial in Chambers’ Edinburgh Journal. She then went on to write the popular Mrs. Tim books: Mrs. Tim of the Regiment (1932), Mrs. Tim Carries On (1941), Mrs. Tim gets a Job (1947), and Mrs. Tim Flies Home (1952).
His nephew was also named David Alan Stevenson (1891-1971).
Stevenson died at his home, "Troqueer", in the Kingsknowe area of Edinburgh on 11 April 1938. He is buried in Dean Cemetery. The simple grave lies near the north-east corner of the first north extension, but he is also memorialised on the main family grave in the main cemetery. His younger brother Charles Alexander Stevenson lies alongside his true grave.