Richard Beck
1827–66
Manufacturing optician. Nephew of Joseph Jackson Lister (DNB), whose design for achromatic objective lenses transformed microscope technology. Apprenticed to James Smith (Turner 1989), a mathematical instrument-maker in London. Entered into partnership as Smith & Beck, 1847 – c. 1857; as Smith, Beck & Beck, c. 1857–65; as R. & J. Beck, 1865–6. Elected member of the Microscopical Society, 1855.
Sources
Modern English biography
Turner 1989, p. 171
Bibliography
Modern English biography: Modern English biography, containing many thousand concise memoirs of persons who have died since the year 1850. By Frederick Boase. 3 vols. and supplement (3 vols.). Truro, Cornwall: the author. 1892–1921.
Turner, Gerard L’E. 1989. The great age of the microscope: the collection of the Royal Microscopical Society though 150 years. Bristol and New York: Adam Hilger.
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