Robert Marsden Needham (1828-1902) was born in Sheffield, the son of George (a brush manufacturer) and Elizabeth. 

Robert apparently launched his cutlery career in the early 1850s, when he was a partner in Mottram, Hawkins & Needham (see Thomas Mottram & Co). That was dissolved in 1853, though Hawkins & Needham continued to trade at Liver Works, Coalpit Lane.  By October 1854, the business was bankrupt, with debts of £2,327 against assets of £2,131.  The losses were blamed on the cost of a machine for manufacturing table knives (which was a complete failure) and the expenses in establishing a connexion (Sheffield Independent, 3 February 1855). 

In the early 1860s, Needham was a hardware agent in Rockingham Street.  By 1868, he was based in Union Lane in the town centre, where he expanded his business.  However, he was bankrupt again in 1869. 

By the end of the 1870s, he was described as a manufacturer of table, butchers’, spear, dagger, and pocket knives and had acquired the trade mark ‘GRAPE’ (granted in 1787).  Needham also manufactured Bowie knives.  By 1890, Needham had moved to Smith’s Wheel, Sidney Street.  He seems to have retired shortly afterwards.  He died at Meersbrook, Bank Road, Norton, on 21 November 1902, leaving £405.  He was buried in Norton cemetery.

Nigel Needham is working on a One Name Study of the Needham name and his website includes more information about the Needhams as cutlers. See https://needham.one-name.net/UK%20Records/Trades/Trades_Cutlers.htm for more details.