Evan Leigh

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Evan Leigh (21 December 1810 – 2 February 1876) was an English engineer, inventor, author and manufacturer of cotton-spinning equipment. He was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, the son of Peter Leigh, a cotton mill owner. After leaving school at 16, he spent two years in Europe studying engineering and science. On his return, he worked in the family’s cotton spinning mill. After about 25 years he left spinning and began making cotton-spinning machinery at Collyhurst Works in Miles Platting, Manchester, moving there from Cotton Street, Ashton-under-Lyne.

Leigh patented the twin screw propulsion for steamships in July 1849, a design adopted by merchant fleets and the Royal Navy. His other inventions included the Self Stripping Engine, the Derby Doubler (or Lap Machine) and the Loose Boss Top Roller. He supplied machines worldwide from Collyhurst Works.

In 1870 he published a pamphlet, “A plan for conveying railway trains across the Straights of Dover,” and in 1871, “The Science of Modern Cotton Spinning,” a book about mill architecture, machinery, steam and water power, gearing and related topics in cotton production.

Leigh married Anne Allen on 28 September 1831, and they had eight surviving children, including Evan Arthur Leigh, who also held patents. Evan Leigh died at Clarence House, Chorlton-on-Medlock, after a bout of chronic bronchitis, aged 65. A portrait of him is in the National Portrait Gallery in London.