James Nasmyth | |
|---|---|
 Woodburytype print, c.1877 | |
| Born | 19 August 1808 Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Died | 7 May 1890 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Citizenship | British |
| Alma mater | Heriot-Watt University |
| Known for | Steam hammer Machine tools Locomotives Astronomy Photography |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Mechanical engineer Artist Inventor |
| Institutions | Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company,(1836–50) James Nasmyth and Company (1850–56) |
James Hall Nasmyth (sometimes spelled Naesmyth, Nasmith, or Nesmyth) (19 August 1808 – 7 May 1890) was a Scottish engineer, philosopher, artist and inventor famous for his development of the steam hammer. He was the co-founder of Nasmyth, Gaskell and Company manufacturers of machine tools. He retired at the age of 48, and moved to Penshurst, Kent where he developed his hobbies of astronomy and photography.