Pearson, Fred Stark

Dates

• Existence: 1861 -- 1915 - 1915

Biography

Abstract:

Fred Stark Pearson graduated from Tufts with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1883 and a Master of Mechanic Arts in 1884. Working for three years as an instructor in mathematics at Tufts, he then became an engineer working for the West End Street Railway of Boston where he helped develop steam-generated electricity to run trolleys. He became a consulting engineer to many railways in the U.S. and Canada. Pearson also consulted for civil engineering projects, including the reconstruction of shipping piers and the improvement of coal handling and mining equipment. In 1899, he got involved in a project developing hydro-electric power for São Paulo and then later for similar projects elsewhere in Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. His final major project was to harness the Ebro River to bring power to Barcelona, Spain. On a business trip, Fred Stark Pearson set sail on the ill-fated Lusitania, and both he and his wife died on May 7, 1915 when the Lusitania sank. He donated frequently and generously to Tufts. Fred Stark Pearson became a Trustee of Tufts in 1900, received an honorary Doctor of Science in 1900, and an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1905.

Fred Stark Pearson (FSP) was born on July 3, 1861. After his father, an engineer on the Boston and Lowell Railroad, died in 1876, the family moved to Medford where FSP began work as a railroad station agent. His skill and intelligence drew the attention of members of the Tufts faculty, and Amos Dolbear convinced him to enroll at Tufts. FSP graduated from Tufts with a Bachelor of Civil Engineering in 1883 and a Master of Mechanic Arts in 1884.

After graduating, FSP served for three years as an instructor in mathematics at Tufts. He then went on to a brilliant engineering career. For his first job for the West End Street Railway of Boston he helped develop steam-generated electricity to run trolleys. Based on this success, he became a consulting engineer to many railways in the U.S. and Canada. He also consulted for civil engineering projects, including the reconstruction of shipping piers and the improvement of coal handling and mining equipment. FSP was greatly interested in long-distance power transmission and water power.

In 1899, he got involved in a project that led to the development of hydro-electric power for São Paulo; he was subsequently involved in similar projects elsewhere in Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. His final major project was to harness the Ebro River to bring power to Barcelona, Spain. Needing to attend a crucial business meeting related to this project, FSP set sail on the ill-fated Lusitania. FSP and his wife Mabel Ward Pearson died on May 7, 1915 when the Lusitania sank, damaged by a German torpedo.

Through his engineering ventures and business investments, FSP became very wealthy. He donated frequently and generously to Tufts. FSP became a Trustee of Tufts in 1900, received an honorary Doctor of Science in 1900, and an honorary Doctor of Laws in 1905.

Found in 11 Collections and/or Records: