Robert Bryson FRSE (25 August 1778 – 8 August 1852) was a chronometer and clock maker in Edinburgh. He received the Royal Warrant as Watch and Clock Maker to Queen Victoria.

Robert Bryson made a rolling ball clock in 1804, four years before the design was patented by William Congreve. It is on display at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh.^[1]

He made a sidereal clock for the City Observatory, formerly the Calton Hill Observatory,^[2] where it was used by Professor Thomas Henderson in his observations.^[3]

A conversation with Leonard Horner in Robert Bryson's watchmakers shop,^[4] regarding the lack of training in mathematics within apprentices, led to the founding of the School of Arts of Edinburgh which became Heriot-Watt University.

He married Janet Gillespie (1788–1858) on 29 December 1815 in the parish of North Leith. They had four sons and two daughters:

1. Alexander Bryson (1816–1866) - Biologist and Geologist.
2. William Gillespie Bryson (1818-1906)
3. Robert Bryson (1819–1886) - who followed him into the watch and clock business and became, amongst other things, Master of the Merchant Company - married Mary Ann Braund Box - buried in Warriston Cemetery
4. Margaret Muir Bryson (1821–1873)
5. James Mackay Bryson (1824–1894)
6. Helen Cockburn Bryson (1826–1912)

His premises, Robert Bryson & Son was located at 66 Princes Street, Edinburgh and he lived his final years at 11 Salisbury Road in south Edinburgh.^[5]

He died 8 August 1852 and is buried in New Calton Cemetery along with his wife, Jane, son Alexander and other family members.

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