25th October 1790 – 6th June 1878 was a Scottish clergyman, and inventor of the Stirling engine.
Born at Cloag Farm near Methven, Perthshire, Stirling was the third of eight children. From 1805 to 1808, he attended Edinburgh University, studying Latin, Greek, Logic, Mathematics and Law. In November 1809 he studied Divinity at Glasgow University and completed five sessions.

In 1814, he continued his studies of Divinity at Edinburgh University and in 1815, the Presbytery of Dunbarton confirmed that Robert Stirling was competent to preach the Gospel. In March 1816 a license was issued to this effect. He was presented by The Commisioners of the Duke of Portland to the Presbytery of Irvine, and after examination was ordained Minister of the Second Charge of Laigh Kirk, Kilmarnock on the 19th September, 1816.

At an early age, Robert had been introduced to engineering by his father (as was his younger brother James who became a civil engineer), Patrick Stirling, who in turn had helped his his own father, Michael, in maintaining threshing machines. Machinery and methods of mechanical power was an interest that permeated the Stirling family.

For some years before moving to Kilmarnock, Robert Stirling had been working on his engine (to be known as The Heat Economiser) and continued work on his design in his new position after arriving in Kilmarnock. On 27th September, 1816, Robert Stirling applied for a patent for his heat engine. The patent was registered on the 20th January 1817.

Stirling married Jean Rankin on 10th July 1819. She was the daughter of William Rankin, a wine merchant in Kilmarnock, and Jean McKay. They had seven children.

Kilmarnock was also to be the place where Robert Strirling became involved with Thomas Morton. Morton was the son of a brick manufacturer, and had served an apprenticeship as a turner and wheelwright. Morton had set up his own business and was a keen innovator and embraced the ideas of the day. His engineering success included improving carpet loom techniques. Both Morton and Stirling were keen astronomers and in 1818 Morton constructed an observatory at his premises, Morton Place.

Robert Stirling was able to agree with Thomas Morton to acquire workspace at Morton Place where he could continue his experiments. Stirling was to use these premises for some 20 years. It was not just air engines that Stirling contributed to, he was also to contribute to the field of lenses and optics and this was probably due to Morton's interests and collaboration. No doubt his brothers and particularly James, encouraged Stirling with exchanges of ideas and practical contributions to his research.

From this brief biography, it is clear to see that Robert Stirling was well educated in the classics, the mathematics of the day, and he had a particular affinity with engineering ideas and principles. His work in the Church underpinned his daily life, in a family that shared his passions and with a colleague in Thomas Morton, Stirling was able to flourish in his lifetime. Stirling also had the reputation as a wonderful speaker and was well loved by his parishioners.

His children's achievements are testimony to the hereditary traits, influences and values of the family. The children of Robert and Jean Stirling were;

Patrick Stirling, born 29th June 1820, Railway Locomotive Engineer; Jane Stirling, born 25th September 1821; William Stirling born 14th November 1822, Civil Engineer and Railway Engineer in South America; Robert Stirling, born 16th December 1824, Railway Engineer in Peru; David Stirling, born 12th October 1828, Minister of Craigie, Ayrshire; James Stirling, born 2nd October 1835, Railway Engineer; Agnes Stirling, born 22 Jul 1838, talented artist, no popular reknown.

Stirling died in Galston, East Ayrshire in 1878. He left us with the Stirling engine as a mechanical engineering concept that can still be explored today. Perhaps the full potential of Stirling engines is still to be realised. The elegant, seemingly simple mechanics and by turn theoretical complexity still challenges our intellect today.