John Smeaton

8 June 1724 – 28 October 1792

John Smeaton was an English engineer often called the father of civil engineering, the profession he was the first to describe as such. He designed the third Eddystone Lighthouse, pioneered the use of hydraulic lime concrete, and made influential experimental studies of waterwheels and windmills.

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Life events

Born at Austhorpe, near Leeds, England
8 June 1724

John Smeaton was born on 8 June 1724 at Austhorpe Lodge, the son of a lawyer.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Educated at Leeds Grammar School
c. 1734 – c. 1742

Smeaton attended Leeds Grammar School before briefly studying law, which he abandoned to become a maker of scientific instruments.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Set up as a scientific instrument maker in London
c. 1748

Around 1748 Smeaton established his own instrument-making business in London, developing improvements to navigational and astronomical instruments.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Elected a Fellow of the Royal Society
1753

Smeaton was elected to the Royal Society in 1753 in recognition of his instrument work and experimental research.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Designed and built the third Eddystone Lighthouse
1756 – October 1759

Between 1756 and 1759 Smeaton built a pioneering stone lighthouse on the Eddystone rocks, using dovetailed granite blocks and hydraulic lime that set under water.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Awarded the Copley Medal for research on waterwheels and windmills
1759

In 1759 the Royal Society awarded Smeaton the Copley Medal for his experimental paper on the power of water and wind to turn mills.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed engineer of the Forth and Clyde Canal
1768

In 1768 Smeaton became chief engineer for the Forth and Clyde Canal in Scotland, one of many river, canal, harbour and bridge projects he directed.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Helped found the Society of Civil Engineers
1771

In 1771 Smeaton was a founder of the first professional society of civil engineers, later renamed the Smeatonian Society in his honour.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died at Austhorpe
28 October 1792

John Smeaton died on 28 October 1792 at Austhorpe after suffering a stroke while walking in his garden.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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