Automotive Pioneer. He was a co-founder in 1904 of Rolls-Royce Limited, an automotive manufacturer, with his partner Frederick Royce. Their company was the manufacturer of luxury automobiles and airplane engines. Born into an aristocratic Welsh family, Rolls graduated in 1898 with a degree in Engineering from Cambridge University. Beginning very young, he devoted himself to engine design, earning the nickname of "Dirty Rolls" with motor oil on his clothes. In 1896, he was the captain of the Cambridge cycling team. He owned the first automobile at Cambridge. The meeting with Henry Royce, which occurred in May of 1904 at the Automobile Club of London, was decisive for the creation of the prestigious English automobile. The first Rolls-Royce car, the Rolls-Royce 10 hp, was unveiled in December of 1904 in Paris. This followed with two, three, four, and six cylinder automobiles. A shrewd businessman who recognized the power of marketing and public relations, he financed the project while Royce did the hands-on building of the machine. Rolls is also known for being a founding member of the Royal Aero Club and a British Aviation pioneer. His exploits during the early years of the twentieth century are considered legendary. He died because of a flying accident. He was the first Briton to be killed in an aeronautical accident with a powered aircraft, and the 11th internationally. He was flying the Wright Model A when the tail of the aircraft broke off from the body of the plane.
Automotive Pioneer. He was a co-founder in 1904 of Rolls-Royce Limited, an automotive manufacturer, with his partner Frederick Royce. Their company was the manufacturer of luxury automobiles and airplane engines. Born into an aristocratic Welsh family, Rolls graduated in 1898 with a degree in Engineering from Cambridge University. Beginning very young, he devoted himself to engine design, earning the nickname of "Dirty Rolls" with motor oil on his clothes. In 1896, he was the captain of the Cambridge cycling team. He owned the first automobile at Cambridge. The meeting with Henry Royce, which occurred in May of 1904 at the Automobile Club of London, was decisive for the creation of the prestigious English automobile. The first Rolls-Royce car, the Rolls-Royce 10 hp, was unveiled in December of 1904 in Paris. This followed with two, three, four, and six cylinder automobiles. A shrewd businessman who recognized the power of marketing and public relations, he financed the project while Royce did the hands-on building of the machine. Rolls is also known for being a founding member of the Royal Aero Club and a British Aviation pioneer. His exploits during the early years of the twentieth century are considered legendary. He died because of a flying accident. He was the first Briton to be killed in an aeronautical accident with a powered aircraft, and the 11th internationally. He was flying the Wright Model A when the tail of the aircraft broke off from the body of the plane.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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