![]() |
Peter Rice
One of the most imaginative and gifted structural engineers of the late 20th century, whose rigorous approach created poetic results.
born 16th June 1935, Ireland
died 25th October 1992, London, UK
introduction
early life
Ove Arup & Partners and Sydney
Structures 3
Centre Georges Pompidou
Rice, Piano and Rogers
Glass structures + RFR
lightweight structures
Full Moon Theatre
traces of an engineer
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Anthony Hunt
Hunt's view of structures as a series of batch-produced components helped a generation of architects realise their High-Tech dreams.
born 22nd June 1932, Streatham Hill, London
introduction
early years
1951, Samuely and beyond
Anthony Hunt Associates
friends, architects, houses
High Tech
engineering changes
late great commissions
influence
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Alex Moulton
Mechanical engineer Dr Alexander Eric Moulton is the man behind the revolutionary small-wheeled Moulton Bicycle, and a specialist in the design of suspension systems, starting with system used for the Mini, first released in 1959.
born 9th April 1920, Rother Place, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, UK
died 9th December 2012, Bath, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Frank Whittle
RAF officer Frank Whittle is widely thought of as the 'father' of jet propulsion. His single-minded pursuit of a workable jet engine sped up its development during World War II.
born 1st June 1907, Earlsdon, Coventry
died 9th August 1996, Columbia, Maryland, USA ![]() |
![]() |
Hugh Iorys Hughes
Welsh civil engineer Hugh Iorys Hughes, expert sailer, was instrumental in the top-secret Mulberry Harbour project in World War II, and went on to design significant concrete structures.
born 16th April 1902, 4 Garfield Terrace, Bangor, Gwynedd, Wales, UK
died 16th August 1977, West Mersea, Colchester, Essex, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Caroline Haslett
A charasmatic and energetic pioneering electrical engineer who championed the practical application of electricity in the home and worked tirelessly to further the status of women in the profession.
born 17th August 1895, Worth, West Sussex
died 4th January 1957, Bungay, Suffolk
introduction
early life
Women's Engineering Society
Electrical Association for Women working 'light' with electricity public recognition sources ![]() |
![]() |
Ove Arup
Considered one of the great structural engineers of the 20th century,Arup strove for a perfect union of design and construction.
born 16th April 1895, Newcastle upon Tyne
died 5th February 1988, London
introduction
early education
Christiani & Nielsen
London
Lubetkin
war years
partnership
Sydney Opera House
Kingsgate
character
total design
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Owen Williams
Pioneering British exponent of the engineering and architectureof concrete structures.
born 20th March 1890, Tottenham, London
died 23rd May 1969, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordhsire
introduction
early life & education
getting to know concrete: 1911-1918
bridges: the 1920s
buildings: the 1930s
M1 and beyond
the man
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Oscar Faber
A great problem solver, Faber was hugely influential in the use of reinforced concrete in Britain, and one of the first to recognise the importance of M&E services in large buildings.
born 5th July 1886, London
died 7th May 1956, Harpendon, Hertfordshire
introduction
early life
early career
consultant
Bank of England
industry and aesthetics
WW II
House of Commons
return to concrete
character
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Guy Maunsell
A civil engineer with brilliant ideas, noted for his practical maritime engineering and developments in pre-stressed concrete, which he used in the design of significant bridges in the UK and Australasia.
born 1884, Kashmir, India
died 20th June 1961, Southborough, Kent, UK
introduction
early life
World War I + post-war wanderings
the 1930s World War II sea forts Maunsell, Posford & Pavry G. Maunsell & Partners legacy selected works sources ![]() |
![]() |
Robert Maillart
A Swiss structural engineer who revolutionised the use of reinforced concrete. His work on bridges and buildings challenged accepted design methods, and resulted in graceful structures of apparent simplicity.
born 6th February 1872, Berne, Switzerland
died 5th April 1940, Geneva, Switzerland
introduction
background
early works
exploring
Maillart & Cie
beamless construction
Russia
return
Salginatobel Bridge
final years
appreciation
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Adam Hunter
One of the great structural steelwork engineers and a pioneer in the fabrication and erection of large steel structures, Adam Hunter worked his whole career with major British contractor Sir William Arrol & Co.
born 23rd August 1869, Crossford, Fife, UK
died 1st November 1933, Rutherglen, Lanarkshire, UK
introduction
early years
Sir William Arrol & Co
cranes, bridges & workshops
at his peak: 1920s
1930s cut short
appreciation
professional affiliations
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Louis Gustave Mouchel
Mouchel introduced metal-reinforced concrete ferro-concrete to UK construction, greatly influencing 20th century British civil engineering.
born 11th January 1852, Cherbourg, Normandy, France
died 27th May 1908, Cherbourg, Normandy, France
introduction
early years
history of concrete
Mouchel and ferro-concrete
into the 20th century
death of Mouchel
legacy
sources
![]() |
![]() |
Edward Pritchard Martin
A Welsh engineer instrumental in British steelmaking progress, Edward Pritchard Martin championed the Thomas-Gilchrist process that revolutionised the industry. He ran several large ironworks in South Wales.
born 20th January 1844, Dowlais, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
died 25th September 1910, Hotel Majestic, Harrogate, Yorkshire, England, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Thomas Parker
A pioneer of the British electrical industry, Thomas Parker was described by Lord Kelvin as the "Edison of Europe". He was ahead of his time — a great inventor and entrepreneur.
born 22nd December 1843, Lincoln Hill, Coalbrookdale, Shropshire, UK
died 5th December 1915, Severn House, Ironbridge, Shropshire, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Benjamin Baker
Born at the height of the Industrial Revolution, Baker excelled in many fields. His best known work, the Forth Rail Bridge, is an icon of British design.
born 31st March 1840, Keyford, Frome, Somerset
died 19th May 1907, Bowden Green, Pangbourne, Berkshire
introduction
early life
Sir John Fowler
London Underground
Tay Bridge
Forth Rail Bridge
Cleopatra's Needle
Hudson River Tunnel
Aswan Dam
legacy
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
William Henry Preece
A Welsh electrical engineering pioneer who advanced the development of telegraphy, telephony and radio. He devised block signalling for railways and brought the first telephone into Britain.
born 15th February 1834, Bryn Helen, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales, UK
died 6th November 1913, Penrhos, Caeathro, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Benjamin Piercy
Prolific Welsh railway engineer Benjamin Piercy worked on a great many Welsh and border lines, constructing railway viaducts and deep cuttings — and worked further afield in Sardinia, France, Italy and Myanmar.
born 16th March 1827, near Trefeglwys, Montgomeryshire, Wales, UK
died 24th March 1888, 15 Portman Square, London, UK ![]() |
![]() |
John Anderson
An important engineer in Victorian Britain, as he very effectively produced armaments for the British Army and Royal Navy, both of which underpinned the Empire.
born 9th December 1814, 19 Barron Street, Woodside, Aberdeen, UK
died 28th July 1886, St Leonard's-on-Sea, East Sussex, UK ![]() |
![]() |
George Thomas Clark
Polymath George Thomas Clark was a medical man, civil engineer, ironmaster, philanthropist, and antiquary noted for castle studies. First working for I.K. Brunel, he later took charge of ironworks in Wales.
born 29th May 1809, Chelsea, London, UK
died 31st January 1898, Talygarn House, Talygarn, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Isambard Kingdom Brunel
One of the most ambitious designers and energetic practitioners in civil engineering history.
born 9th April 1806, near Portsmouth
died 15th September 1859, London W1
introduction
early life & education
Thames Tunnel
Bristol
Great Western Railway & the broad gauge
railways, bridges & atmospherics
great ships
family & final years
![]() |
![]() |
John Miller
One of the great British railway engineers and an outstanding designer of masonry viaducts — with more Scottish railways to his name than any other engineer.
born 26th July 1805, Ayr, Scotland, UK
died 8th May 1883, 2 Melville Crescent, Edinburgh, UK
early years
coming of the railways
Edinburgh & Glasgow
Railway Railway Mania wider career politics church, family & property appreciation selected works sources ![]() |
![]() |
Robert Stephenson
His refinements to the steam engine made steam locomotion a viable form of transport, which he demonstrated with his famous prototype, Rocket.
born 16th October 1803, Newcastle upon Tyne
died 12th October 1859, London W2
introduction
early life & education
the Rocket & steam-powered locomotion
railways & railway bridges
influence, family & final years ![]() |
![]() |
Henry Habberley Price
Civil engineer and ironmaster Henry Habberley Price worked widely in Britain, including in South Wales. His lively career encompassed projects and ideas for river navigations, harbours and railways.
born 4th April 1794, Penryn, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK
died (probably February) 1839, Brynglas, Neath, Glamorgan, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Michael Faraday
Faraday's discovery of the electric motor, electric transformer and electric generator laid the foundations of electrical engineering.
born 22nd September 1791, Newington Butts, London
died 25th August 1867, Hampton Court, Middlesex
introduction
family & religion
RI & Humphry Davy
electro-magnetism communicating science application of science lighthouses electro-magnetic field influence ![]() |
![]() |
Thomas Penson
Thomas Penson (jnr)'s prolific output as a civil engineer, surveyor and architect in Wales includes notable masonry and iron bridges, as well as buildings of all kinds. He was also part of an engineering mini-dynasty.
born 5th May 1790, probably Wrexham, Denbighshire, Wales, UK
died 20th May 1859, Bryn Tail farm, Groeswen, Caerphilly, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
George Stephenson
Father of the Railways, who created the railway system we know today. The story of his life parallels the rise and fall of Railway Mania in the 1830s and 40s.
born 9th June 1781, Wylam, Northumberland
died 12th August 1848, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
introduction
early years
steam locomotion
safety lamp
patents and more locomotives
Stockton & Darlington Railway
railways, Rocket and Rainhill
railway mania
end of an era
remembering Stephenson
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
William Brunton
A civil engineer with a wide-ranging career in the early days of steam, holding many patents connected with heavy industrial processing, and working on engines, railways and ironworks — an "ingenious mechanist".
born 26th May 1777, Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland, UK
died 5th October 1851, Camborne, Cornwall, UK ![]() |
![]() |
George Overton
Welshman George Overton was a leading builder of iron tramroads, designed principally for horse-drawn wagons. However, he is also strongly connected to the early days of steam.
born 1774, Glamorgan, Wales, UK
died 1827, Llanddetty, near Talybont-on-Usk, Powys, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Robert Stevenson
Founder of the Stevenson dynasty of lighthouse engineers and responsible for the construction of Bell Rock Lighthouse, along with roads, canals, railways, and much else in Scotland.
born 8th June 1772, Glasgow, UK
died 12th July 1850, 1 Baxter's Place, Edinburgh, UK
introduction
early years
a practical education
Bell Rock Lighthouse more lighthouses maritime railways, roads & bridges character & final years selected works sources ![]() |
![]() |
Richard Trevithick
Inventor of the steam locomotive, the 'Cornish giant' was an inveterate innovator who managed to harness the power of steam at high pressures.
born 13th April 1771, (now) 35 Station Road, Pool, Cornwall, UK
died 22nd April 1833, The Bull Inn, Dartford, Kent, UK
introduction
early years
pumping the mines
high pressure steam
first road carriages
rail locomotives
dredging, tunnelling
South America
return to Cornwall
final years
remembering Trevithick
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
John Rennie
A resourceful and original civil engineer who dominated his profession. Best known for canals, docks and bridges, including London Bridge (1831).
born 7th June 1761, Phantassie estate, East Lothian, Scotland, UK
died 4th October 1821, Stamford (now Rennie) Street, London, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Thomas Dadford
Thomas Dadford (jnr) came from a family of pioneering canal builders whose work played a vital role in the industrial development of Wales. He worked on more than 15 major canal projects.
born c.1760, (possibly) Wolverhampton, West Midlands, UK
died 2nd April 1801, Crickhowell, Brecknock, Powys, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Watkin George
Watkin George is remembered for his contribution to the development of early iron bridges. His works include the world's oldest-known cast iron tramway bridge, which served an ironworks in Wales.
born c.1759, Trevethin, Pontypool, Wales, UK
died 10th August 1822, Trevethin, Pontypool, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Thomas Telford
The first president of the Institution of Civil Engineers and considered to be one of the great civil engineers of all time.
born 9th August 1757, Glendinning (farm), Westerkirk, Dumfriesshire
died 2nd September 1834, 24 Abingdon Street, London
introduction
early life
last great canal engineer
building bridges roads & transport public works poetry & philanthropy legacy selected works ![]() |
![]() |
John Smeaton
Smeaton laid the foundations for civil engineering as a profession.
born 8th June 1724, Austhorpe Lodge, Whitkirk, West Yorkshire
died 28th October 1792, Austhorpe Lodge, Whitkirk, West Yorkshire
introduction
early years
instrument making
bridges
Royal Society
water wheels & mill works
inland waterways & fen drainage
lighthouses
steam engines
harbours
practice & legacy
family & final years
selected works
sources
![]() |
![]() |
William Edwards
A Welshman who rose from humble beginnings to become a bridge builder of note, constructing what was Britain's longest extant masonry span for over 70 years, the distinctive design of which is still studied today.
born 1719, Ty Canol farm, Groeswen, Caerphilly, Wales, UK
died 7th August 1789, Bryn Tail farm, Groeswen, Caerphilly, Wales, UK ![]() |
![]() |
Thomas Newcomen
The modern world’s first great mechanical engineer, creator of the first practical steam engine.
born 24th February 1663/4, Foss Street, Dartmouth, Devon, UK
died 5th August 1729, Bermondsey, London, UK
introduction
early years
ironmongery & steam
first atmospheric engine
engines everywhere
Baptist faith
final years
legacy
sources
![]() |
![]() |
George Sorocold
Water engineer Sorocold changed the lives of people in urban Britain and contributed to the first steps in the industrialisation of the country.
born possibly 1658, Eccles near Manchester, UK
died date and place unknown
introduction
background
church bells
Derby Waterworks
London Bridge + the New River
river navigation + docks
silk mills
mines + estates
why don't we know more?
selected works
sources
![]() |