Robert Stephenson – The Eminent Engineer de Michael R. Bailey

Robert Stephenson – The Eminent Engineer

Michael R. Bailey

Robert Stephenson, the leading engineer of the mid-nineteenth century whose substantial public works brought about considerable social change is now the subject of this excellent new biography: Robert Stephenson - The Eminent Engineer. Stephenson's engineering practice was responsible for major railway building programmes in Britain and overseas. He oversaw the building of many bridges, particularly the innovative tubular bridges in North Wales and was influential in the development of England's railway network. Stephenson's engineering practice in Westminster, whose many associates were engaged throughout England, were responsible for substantial railway building programmes during the 'mania' years of the 1840s. By 1850, he was associated with one third of the railway network. His overseas railway involvements included building many miles of line and developing national transport plans. Robert Stephenson - The Eminent Engineer also considers Stephenson's public roles and shows how he was perceived by his contemporaries. Stephenson was a Member of Parliament and Commissioner for the Great Exhibition, was well respected as an arbitrator, received several British and overseas honours and was President of both the Institutions of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.

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Cuprins

Contents: Foreword; Introduction; Influence and Achievement: The early years, Michael Bailey; London and Birmingham, Mike Chrimes; Chamber consultations, Michael Bailey; Strategy, tactics and mania, Michael Bailey; Wider horizons, Michael Bailey; The mechanical business, Michael Bailey; Robert Stephenson in society, Julia Elton; Innovation and Technique: Building the London & Birmingham Railway, Mike Chrimes; Railway building, Mike Chrimes and Robert Thomas; Iron railway bridges, James Sutherland; Masonry structures, Ted Ruddock; Water engineering, Denis Smith; Bibliography; Index.

Recenzii

'The new book does much to bring the man to life and his works to light. It's an important work on an engineer who has not received the fame he perhaps deserves.' Professional Engineering 'This is a fine book and a worthy addition to anyone's railway library...' The Stephenson Locomotive Society Journal 'This early 21st century biography of a 19th century engineer is not only a good history book, but it is also an enjoyable read.' Materials World 'Books of this calibre are all too rare, and this is an essential reference work for any serious railway historian.' Journal of the Friends of the National Railway Museum 'This clearly written and very well illustrated book makes a significant contribution to the history of technology in the early 19th century... Highly recommended.' Choice 'An altogether admirable biography.' The Railway Magazine 'In Robert Stephenson - The Eminent Engineer, Michael Bailey and colleagues have assembled the definitive biography of the nineteenth-century British engineer best known for his contributions to railway construction... Without a doubt this is an exceptional biography. It goes beyond a narrow focus on its subject to provide important insights into nineteenth-century engineering practice and management in general. While the book's intention is not to develop general theory regarding social influences on engineering practice, it may help to do just that.' Technology and Culture 'This book is so thoroughly researched and so well put together that it is difficult to identify any area in which it could have been improved.' British Journal for the History of Science 'The editor is to be congratulated for having assembled a talented and knowledgeable team of authors. With the publication of this volume there is now a state-of-the-art study of Stephenson's life and many achievements. All the chapters are well written and presented, and the book as a whole benefits from numerous illustrations of exceptional quality.' Journal o

Descriere

Robert Stephenson M.P., F.R.S., Hon.MA, Hon DCL (1803-1859) was the leading engineer of his day. He was acclaimed for his development of the main-line steam locomotive and renowned for his innovations in bridge building. He built the first trunk railway line in the world between London and Birmingham, was at the centre of the railway ’mania’ that gripped early Victorian Britain, and by 1850 had been responsible for one third of the railway network in England. Robert Stephenson - The Eminent Engineer is the first biographical study to be devoted to Robert Stephenson for over a century, and is fully illustrated in black-and-white and colour. Written by a team of experts in railway and engineering history, chapters explore Stephenson’s early training and work with his father, George and examine his influence and achievements in railway development, noting his advocacy of planning, rather than an unbridled free market. They also examine his innovation and techniques in railway and bridge building and port and water engineering. Not least they consider Stephenson’s public face - the immense recognition he won as a person who contributed to the transformation of society by opening up communications and transport, and his career as a respected arbitrator, MP, and Commissioner for the Great Exhibition of 1851.