Sir Richard William Allen (1 February 1867 – 17 July 1955) was a Welsh mechanical engineer. Allen was born in

Cardiff Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...

, the son of William Henry Allen, and was educated at Christ College, Finchley. He received a private technical education and was apprenticed for four years at his father's firm. He worked as a draughtsman with John Elder and Co. in Glasgow, and then with the Naval Construction and Armaments Co. at Barrow in Furness. In 1890, he visited the United States, and returned as assistant manager at W. H. Allen and Co. When the company's works were transferred to Bedford in 1894, he became a partner and later managing director.Institution of Mechanical Engineers - Engineering Heritage
/ref> Allen was one of the founders of Bedfordshire County Cricket Club in 1899 and was Honorary Secretary until 1919 and President from 1953 till his death.Wisden obituaries 1955
/ref> Allen was awarded the C.B.E. in 1918 and became chairman of W H Allen and co on the death of his father in 1926. He became President of the

Institution of Mechanical Engineers The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is an independent professional association and learned society headquartered in London, United Kingdom, that represents mechanical engineers and the engineering profession. With over 120,000 member ...

in 1928. He was knighted in 1942.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Allen, Richard William 1867 births 1955 deaths Engineers from Cardiff English mechanical engineers English cricket administrators English knights Knights Bachelor Commanders of the Order of the British Empire