Benjamin Henry Latrobe, II

Benjamin Henry Latrobe Sellon Boneval (Benjamin Henry Latrobe, II ) (* December 19, 1806 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, † October 19, 1878 in Baltimore, Maryland) was an American civil engineer, who is well known for the construction of railway bridges.

He was the son of Benjamin Latrobe, architect of the Capitol and the Basilica of the Assumption. The younger Latrobe was born in Philadelphia, went to school in Baltimore and later to Georgetown University. He married on March 12, 1833 Mary Eleanor "Ellen" Hazlehurst.

Work

In 1820 Latrobe worked with his father at the water supply for New Orleans in Louisiana.

Between 1833 and 1835, when he was assistant engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, his plan for the Thomas Viaduct ( s) took shape. The viaduct spans the Patapsco River between Relay and Elkridge (Maryland ) ( s). He was ridiculed as " Latrobe 's Folly " because many doubted that the massive structure could support itself early on. , The fact that it remained until 2010 in use, and it was much heavier loads than was anticipated, proves his skill.

Among the construction projects in which Latrobe worked, was also the Hoosac Tunnel in Massachusetts. He was a consulting engineer for the Troy and Greenfield Railroad, served for 22 years as chief engineer of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, and was appointed President of the B & O Pittsburgh - Connellsville Branch.

Latrobe died on October 19, 1878 in Baltimore.