Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Dawson, Robert Kearsley
DAWSON, ROBERT KEARSLEY (1798–1861), lieutenant-colonel royal engineers, son of Robert Dawson (1776–1860) [q. v.], was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and obtained his first commission in the royal engineers in 1818. He was employed under Captain (afterwards General) Colby [q. v.] on the Scotch and Irish surveys. He superintended the preparation of the plans of cities and boroughs issued by government about the time of the introduction of the first Reform Bill, and which are entered under the name of ‘R. K. Dawson’ in ‘British Museum Catalogue of Printed Books.’ He was attached to the Tithe Commutation Commission from its first formation, and was afterwards appointed an assistant-commissioner and head of the survey department of the Commons Enclosure and Copyhold Commission. For his services in this capacity he was made C.B., civil division (Feb. 1836). He died at Blackheath 28 March 1861.
[War Office Records; Times, 1 April 1861.]