Rhee, Samuel
1735 – 1799
A skilled mechanic in London.
Samuel Rhee was a pupil of the famous instrument maker Jesse Ramsden and gained a reputation as a skilled mechanic. He made a significant contribution toward solving the problem of mechanically dividing the graduated limbs of scientific instruments. His solution was to improve Ramsden’s dividing engine by using a screw with a continuous thread. Rhee was known to be especially skilled in the art of threading.
Johann Conrad Fischer reported that Rhee’s workshop was located in Shoe Lane off Fleet Street. Fischer worked in Rhee’s shop during his first stay in London.
In Kent’s Directory for the Year 1794. Cities of London and Westminster, & Borough of Southwark Rhee is not listed. However, the directory gives an idea of the commercial activity in Shoe Lane when Fischer was a journeyman:
- Bland Thomas, Brass Founder, 40, Shoe lane, Fleet street
- Botten & Son, Founders, 62, Shoe lane
- Coles Wm. Oil & Colourman, 24, Shoe lane, Ditto
- Cornell & Acton, jun. Goldbeaters, 72, Shoe lane, Fleet street
- Eley & Son, Goldbeaters, 105, Shoe lane, Fleet street
- Joseph H. & R. Pewterers, 9, Little New street, Shoe lane
Traveljournal 1794
Traveljournal 1845
Traveljournal 1846
- Fischer, Johann Conrad: Tagebücher. Bearbeitet von Karl Schib. Schaffhausen 1951.
- Henderson, William O.: J. C. Fischers Besuche in London zwischen 1794 und 1851. Teil I - A: Bei Metallhandwerkern und Maschinenbauern. In: Sonderdruck aus Tradition - Zeitschrift für Firmengeschichte und Unternehmensbiographie 1967, S. 350f.
- Henderson, W. O.: J. C. Fischer and his Diary of Industrial England 1814–1851. London 1966, S. 24f.
- Samuel Rehe. In: Grace’s Guide To British Industrial History (Grace’s Guide, Stand 22.6.2022).