William Edwards (architect)

William Edwards ( born February 1719 Eglwysilan, Glamorgan; † August 7, 1789 ) was a Welsh Methodist minister, who also worked as a stonemason, architect and builder of bridges. Edwards was born in Eglwysilan, Glamorgan, and began to preach at the age of 22 years. In 1745, he became pastor of the newly-built compound independence chapel in Groeswen. A post he retained until his death, he was buried at the Eglwysilan Church cemetery.

Known bridges

Edwards ' most famous design is the bridge at Pontypridd, built 1746-1754. The construction contract contained a warranty clause, and Edwards constructed successively three bridges in the same place, with only the last of which is the torrential floods of the River Taff resistance. With a length of 40 m, the bridge at the time was the longest arch bridge in the world with a single clamping bow. Edwards ' secret of success was to reduce the weight of the stones in that it allowed cavities in the lower part of the structure. The resulting structure is still standing, although another bridge beside it conveys the modern traffic. The bridge was opened in 1755 and celebrated its 250th birthday in 2005.

Edwards also built bridges in Aberafan, Betws, Cilycwm Pontardawe and Usk and was responsible for the design of Morriston, the first planned industrial city near Swansea.