# Charles Algernon Parsons

> inventor of the steam turbine (1854-1931)

**Wikidata**: [Q150910](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q150910)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Algernon_Parsons)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/charles-algernon-parsons

## Summary
Charles Algernon Parsons (1854–1931) was a British engineer, inventor, and businessperson best known for inventing the steam turbine. He founded C. A. Parsons and Company and the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company to manufacture his engines, which revolutionized marine propulsion and power generation. His achievements were recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the Order of Merit and the Copley Medal.

## Biography
- **Born:** June 13, 1854
- **Nationality:** United Kingdom, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
- **Education:** Trinity College, Dublin; St John's College, Cambridge
- **Known for:** Invention of the steam turbine
- **Employer(s):** C. A. Parsons and Company; Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company
- **Field(s):** Engineering, invention, business

## Contributions
Charles Algernon Parsons is credited with the invention of the steam turbine, a device which uses steam from a boiler to rotate the turbine blades. In 1894, he developed the Turbinia, the first steam turbine-powered boat, to demonstrate the effectiveness of this new propulsion technology. To commercialize his inventions, he founded C. A. Parsons and Company in 1889 and later established the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company in 1897 to focus specifically on marine applications.

## FAQs
**What did Charles Algernon Parsons invent?**
He invented the steam turbine, a device that extracts thermal energy from pressurized steam and converts it into mechanical work via rotating blades.

**Where did Charles Algernon Parsons receive his education?**
He attended Trinity College, Dublin and St John's College, Cambridge.

**What companies did Charles Algernon Parsons found?**
He founded C. A. Parsons and Company in 1889 and the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company in 1897.

**What was the Turbinia?**
The Turbinia was a steam turbine-powered boat developed in 1894 that served as a landmark demonstration of Parsons' turbine technology.

**Which scientific societies was Charles Algernon Parsons a member of?**
He was a member of the Royal Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers, the British Science Association, the National Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

## Why They Matter
Charles Algernon Parsons revolutionized the fields of power generation and marine propulsion through his invention of the steam turbine. His work replaced traditional reciprocating steam engines with a more efficient and reliable turbine design, which became the standard for electricity generation and modern naval vessels. The successful demonstration of the Turbinia proved the viability of turbine engines for ships, influencing the design of the world's navies. By establishing specialized engineering firms, he ensured the widespread adoption and continued development of this transformative technology.

## Notable For
- Invention of the steam turbine.
- Development of the Turbinia (1894).
- Founding C. A. Parsons and Company (1889).
- Founding Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company (1897).
- Recipient of the Order of Merit.
- Recipient of the Copley Medal.
- Recipient of the Rumford Medal.
- Recipient of the Albert Medal.
- Recipient of the Faraday Medal.
- Recipient of the Franklin Medal.
- Recipient of the Bessemer Gold Medal.
- Recipient of the Royal Society Bakerian Medal.
- Fellow of the Royal Society.
- Doctor of Sciences and Doctor of Engineering degrees.

## Body

### Early Life and Education
Charles Algernon Parsons was born on June 13, 1854. He held citizenship in the United Kingdom and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. He pursued his education at two prominent institutions: Trinity College, Dublin and St John's College, Cambridge. His academic training provided the groundwork for his multifaceted career as an engineer, inventor, and businessperson.

### Career and Inventions
Parsons' primary field of work was the development of the steam turbine. He invented the steam turbine, a type of turbine device which uses steam from a boiler to rotate the turbine blades. This invention represented a significant technological advancement in the conversion of thermal energy to mechanical work. To validate the practical application of his invention, Parsons developed the Turbinia in 1894. The Turbinia was a steam turbine-powered boat that demonstrated the superior speed and efficiency of turbine propulsion compared to traditional piston engines.

### Business Ventures
Parsons established several organizations to manufacture and promote his inventions. In 1889, he founded C. A. Parsons and Company, a British engineering firm. The company was headquartered in Heaton, a suburb in the east end of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Recognizing the specific potential for his technology in maritime travel, he founded the Parsons Marine Steam Turbine Company in 1897. These firms played a critical role in the industrial application of steam turbines.

### Professional Affiliations
Throughout his life, Parsons was affiliated with numerous learned societies and scientific institutions. He was a member of the Royal Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers, and the British Science Association. His influence extended internationally, as he was also a member of the National Academy of Sciences, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.

### Awards and Honors
Parsons received extensive recognition for his contributions to science and engineering. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. His accolades include the Order of Merit, the Copley Medal, the Rumford Medal, the Albert Medal, the Faraday Medal, the Franklin Medal, the Bessemer Gold Medal, and the Royal Society Bakerian Medal. He was also honored with academic degrees, receiving a Doctor of Sciences and a Doctor of Engineering. Charles Algernon Parsons passed away on February 11, 1931.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. The Peerage
3. Integrated Authority File
4. The London Gazette 28346
5. [Award winners : Copley Medal. Royal Society](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dsunM9ukGLgaW3HdG9cvJ_QKd7pWjGI0qi_fCb1ROD4/pubhtml?gid=1336391689&single=true)
6. [Source](https://royalsociety.org/grants-schemes-awards/awards/rumford-medal/)
7. [Source](https://www.thersa.org/about/albert-medal/past-winners#Full-list-of-winners)
8. International Standard Name Identifier
9. Virtual International Authority File
10. CiNii Research
11. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
12. SNAC
13. Find a Grave
14. Dreadnought Project
15. Croatian Encyclopedia
16. Dictionary of Irish Biography
17. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
18. Treccani's Enciclopedia on line
19. Enciclopedia Treccani