Motion · S5M-16841 · 8 Apr 2019

150th Anniversary of the Death of Reverend Patrick Bell

Lodged by Kenneth Gibson (No Party Affiliation) Standard Motion 12 supporters

The motion

That the Parliament commemorates the 150th anniversary of the death of Reverend Patrick Bell, Church of Scotland Minister and Scottish inventor, who was born on 12 May 1799 and died on 22 April 1869; notes that Reverend Bell is credited with inventing the reaping machine while working on his father’s farm in Auchterhouse, Angus, as his interest in mechanics led him to invent a horse-powered mechanical reaper for speeding up the harvest; considers that Reverend Bell’s machine was first used successfully in 1828 on his father’s farm and by others in the district; understands, however, that Reverend Bell never sought a patent for his invention because, as a man of God, he believed that his invention should benefit all mankind, and believes that, while Reverend Bell never received any financial gain from the success of his invention, his contribution to Scotland’s agricultural heritage should be remembered and celebrated.

Supporters (12)

Source: the Scottish Parliament motions and amendments record.