Thomas Telford

Thomas Telford ( born August 9, 1757 Wester Kirk, Dumfriesshire, Scotland, † September 2, 1834 in Westminster ( London) ) was a British architect.

Life and work

Telford procured by numerous architectural masterpieces in his own lifetime high reputation. He is known worldwide as one of the founders of construction using scientific methods and therefore one of the first modern civil engineers. Among his most important buildings include the Menai Bridge, which since 1826 connects the mainland with the Welsh island of Anglesey. The bridge allowed a continuous road link between London and the sea port of Holyhead on Anglesey for trade with Ireland.

Thomas Telford was also responsible for the construction of the Caledonian Canal, which connects the east and west coast of Scotland, responsible. The canal was built from 1803 to 1822. Also, the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct over the River Dee and the aqueduct of Longdon -on -Tern are two of his designs.

The German - Swedish statesman Baltzar von Platen got to know Telford and took him to his sewer construction projects in Sweden, which led to the construction of the Göta Canal.

Telford also dealt with the road. From him the idea to be guaranteed by a bulge in the middle of the road water drainage originates. He also occupied himself with the optimum design of roads in terms of route and the design of the road cross-section. John Loudon McAdam Together with he is considered one of the fathers of modern road construction.

Thomas Telford founded in 1818 in London the professional association Institution of Civil Engineers, which now belong to some 80,000 civil engineers in 140 countries.

Telford died on 2 September 1834 in the Abingdon Street, Westminster ( London). He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Honors

1827 Telford was accepted as a member ( "Fellow" ) to the Royal Society. He is named after the city plan Telford.