Richard Beck (1827–66)

Manufacturing optician. Nephew of Joseph Jackson Lister (DNB), whose design for achromatic objective lenses transformed microscope technology. Apprenticed to James Smith (Turner 1989), a mathematical instrument-maker in London. Entered into partnership as Smith & Beck, 1847 – c. 1857; as Smith, Beck & Beck, c. 1857–65; as R. & J. Beck, 1865–6. Elected member of the Microscopical Society, 1855.