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.