Francis Baird (1802–1864) was an engineer of Scottish ancestry in Saint Petersburg, who took over his father's business manufacturing machinery, ships, and metalwork for some of the city's major structures.
Some of the time he worked with his cousin William Handyside, who had a leading role in several engineering projects, and it is not entirely clear how much he helped Handyside with the specialist castings for the Alexander Column and Saint Isaac's Cathedral.
At this time, Francis took over the Baird Works and the rest of his father's business.
The decorative railings on the Nicholas Bridge (opened 1850) were produced by Baird's while he was in charge.
In 1860 the Baird Works were flourishing with between 1200 and 1500 employees, and were producing half a million roubles worth of goods per year.