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Born Woolwich, the son of a professor at the Royal Military Academy. He studied at the Academy, joined the Royal Engineers and served abroad constructing fortifications, canals and bridges. Fluent in Spanish he was particularly useful there. On his retirement from the Royal Engineers in 1824 he became involved with railway construction.

An elevated railway from Greenwich into central London was his idea and with a partner, George Walter, he created the London and Greenwich Railway Company to build it. His design, using viaducts to overcome all obstructions and avoid level crossings was innovative and it is still the longest railway viaduct in Britain. Died Shacklewell, Hackney.

We refer you to the excellent Patrick Sweeney for more information.