High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Sir Robert Bristow (born December 13, 1880 in London - died September 3, 1966) was a British harbour engineer who is best known for his contributions to the development of the port of Kochi in India. Bristow recounted his experiences in his book Cochin Saga, which is considered an important source of historiography of Kerala. He is also noted for his initiatives in founding the Lotus Club, the first inter-racial club in Kochi. He was also a member of the Royal Society of Arts. Born December 13, 1880 to Alfred Bristow and Laura Web, Bristow studied at the Technical Institute in London and joined the Civil Engineering Service in 1903. He worked in various harbours for the next sixteen years, including ports such as Malta and Portsmouth. He was also involved in the maintenance of the Suez canal. He joined the services of the Madras government at the age of 39, and came to Kochi on April 13, 1920 under the direction of Lord Willingdon, thenthe Governor of Madras. During this time, trade at the port of Kochi had increased substantially, and the need to develop it was greatly felt.