Royce, (Frederick) Henry (1863-1933)

English engineer who so impressed Charles Rolls with the car he built in 1904 that Rolls-Royce Ltd was formed in 1906 to produce automobiles and aeroengines. He was created a baronet in 1930.

Royce was born in Huntingdonshire and became an apprentice engineer with the Great Northern Railway. He worked on the pioneer scheme 1882-83 to light London's streets with electricity, and as chief electrical engineer on the project to light the streets of Liverpool. In 1884 he founded the firm of F H Royce and Company, manufacturing electric cranes and dynamos. He built three cars of his first design in 1904 and soon afterwards teamed up with Rolls.