Robert Fidler

FIDLER, Robert (fl.1794-1822) — London

Mean Motion Orrery with drum case on claw foot stand showing seven planets out to Uranus by Robert Fidler. © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Object No. 1950-55.
Mean Motion Orrery with drum case on claw foot stand showing seven planets out to Uranus by Robert Fidler. © The Board of Trustees of the Science Museum. Object No. 1950-55.

Optical & mathematical instrument-maker. Produced a mean motion orrery designed by William Pearson in 1813 and described in Abraham Rees, ‘The cyclopaedia : or, universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature’ 1819-1820 (an example in the Science Museum, London).

Born 11 Feb 1770 and baptised 4 Mar 1770 at St. Marylebone, the son of William Fidler and his wife Ann(e) Mustin, who had married in 1761. Presumably related to the instrument-maker John Fidler (fl.1800) of Oxford Market, Oxford Street. Married Jane Williams (1766?-1815), with whom he had a number of children, at St. James Piccadilly 11 Sep 1794. He died before his son Henry (b.1809) was apprenticed (Fanmakers) in 1824.

Parish of St. Marylebone — 1795-1796
Market Place, St. Marylebone — 1797-1807
32 Wigmore Street, Cavendish Square — 1810
30 Foley Street, Cavendish Square — 1813-1822

Apprentice: William M. Stiles 1800.

Clifton. Webster.