Sir Robert McAlpine, 1st Baronet

Sir Robert McAlpine, 1st Baronet (13 February 1847 – 3 November 1934), was a Scottish businessman notable for founding the construction firm known as Sir Robert McAlpine. He was designated as a baronet in June 1918, becoming the first individual to hold the McAlpine baronetcy.

Born in Scotland, McAlpine left formal schooling at the age of 10 to work in a coal mine. Subsequently, he became an apprentice bricklayer. His early career involved contributing to various construction projects, including road construction, public buildings, and other infrastructural works. He was engaged in tunneling operations for the Glasgow Subway and participated in the construction of the Singer Sewing Machine factory located in Clydebank, Dunbartonshire.

In 1918, McAlpine undertook an overseas project to expand the harbor in Heraklion, Crete. The power station constructed for this project later supplied electricity to the town. Throughout his career, he was involved in significant engineering undertakings, such as the construction of the Glenfinnan Viaduct. He was also an early adopter of concrete technology and labor-saving machinery within his projects.

McAlpine developed the large civil engineering and building enterprises that carry his name. His innovations and leadership contributed to the development of the construction industry during his lifetime.

Regarding family, Robert McAlpine married twice. His first marriage was on 12 June 1868 to Agnes Hepburn, who died in 1888. Together, they had five sons—Robert (1868–1934), William Hepburn (1871–1950), Thomas Malcolm (1877–1967), Alfred David (1881–1944), and Granville (1882–1928)—and two daughters, Agnes and Ethel. His daughter Agnes married Louis Marie Charles Fradin de Belabre in 1905. De Belabre had a son and two daughters from his previous marriage to Janetta Alexandra West, who died in 1903. Agnes de Belabre and Louis had a daughter named Yolande, born in 1908, but divorced in 1915.

On 21 August 1889, McAlpine married Florence Margaret Palmer. This marriage produced one son, Archibald Douglas McAlpine (1890–1981), and two daughters, Emma and Roberta. Roberta married Richard Lloyd George and was the mother of Owen Lloyd George, 3rd Earl Lloyd-George of Dwyfor.

Sir Robert McAlpine died at the age of 87 aboard the MV Warwick Castle, due to a cerebral hemorrhage while at sea.