Brunel: A Pocket Biography - Softcover

Rolt, L T C

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0750942940 ISBN 13: 9780750942942

Publisher: The History Press, 2006

Synopsis

At 19, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was in charge, under his father, of an engineering work that is the wonder of Europe: the Thames tunnel, completed in 1843. This book traces Brunel's life and career, the man of immense energy who came to dominate civil engineering in the 19th century and whose legacy can still be seen nearly two centuries later. L T C Rolt was one of the first narrative historians, an industrial pioneer and preservationist. During his life he was fundamental in establishing and promoting canals, waterways and railways. He was one of the first people in modern Britain to draw attention to the value of our canals as a means of transport and a source of pleasure. As well as his interest in canals he also turned his attention to neglcted railways and set up the first organisation to save and run a railway with a mainly volunteer workforce.

About this title

Synopsis

At nineteen, Isambard Kingdom Brunel was in charge, under his father, of an engineering work that excited the wonder of Europe: the Thames tunnel, completed in 1843. Twice it disastrously flooded while he was in it. At twenty-five, he designed the Clifton Suspension Bridge, which was completed posthumously in 1864 using chains from his own Hungerford Suspension Bridge. He was the engineer and architect of the Great Western Railway, designer of a pre-fabricated hospital in the Crimean war, and of some of the first great Trans-Atlantic steamships. The work for which he is probably best remembered is his construction of a network of tunnels, bridges and viaducts for the Great Western Railway. In March 1833, he was appointed their chief engineer and his work began with the line that linked London to Bristol. This short biography by the classic engineering history writer L.T.C. Rolt, first published by Methuen in 1965, traces Brunel's life and career, and recreates the man of immense energy who came to dominate civil engineering in the nineteenth century and whose legacy can still be seen nearly two centuries later.

About the Author

L.T.C. Rolt wrote a large number of books, a number of which are now regarded as classics. He wrote biographies on the great British engineers, such as Brunel and the Stephensons, as well as the story of his exploration of England's canals, Narrow Boat. He died in 1974.

About this edition

• Publisher: The History Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0750942940
• ISBN 13: 9780750942942
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 128