Person    | Male  Born 1560  Died 10/12/1631

Sir Hugh Myddelton

Categories: Engineering, Food & Drink

Countries: Wales

Goldsmith and entrepreneur. Born Denbigh, Wales sometime 1555-60, younger brother of Sir Thomas Myddelton (c1550-1631) who became Lord Mayor of London. 1576 came to London to be an apprentice goldsmith. Entered the livery in 1592 and practised extremely successfully in Cheapside. Stayed in close contact with Wales and was repeatedly MP for Denbigh established the New River Company which constructed the New River bringing much needed fresh water from Hertfordshire to London. This remained the most important source of piped water in London for 300 years. Robert Stephenson considered him 'the first English Engineer'.

The spelling of his name is inconsistent: Middelton, Middleton, Myddleton, etc. We have chosen that used by the ODNB.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Sir Hugh Myddelton

Commemorated ati

Clarendon Arch - 1682

We are indebted to John Salmon at Geograph for his photo of this arch. The P...

Read More

Holborn Viaduct - Myddelton

{On a granite plaque below the statue:} Sir Hugh Myddleton, born 1560, died ...

Read More

Hugh Myddelton - N21

Formerly Bush Hill House Sir Hugh Myddelton, engineer of the New River, lived...

Read More

Hugh Myddelton's house

This integral plaque is on the corner between the ground and first floor wind...

Read More

Myddelton bust

{Either side of the bust:} 1555 1631  {Below the bust:} Sir Hugh Myddleton

Read More

Show all 7

Other Subjects

First traffic lights in world

First traffic lights in world

Less than a month after the lights were installed the lamp blew up, seriously injuring the policeman who was operating it. See the IET and the Victorianist for two different takes on the story. 20...

Concept, Engineering, Science

1 memorial
A. A. Langley

A. A. Langley

Engineer. His name appears on a stone at Abbey Road DLR Station. We have found references to him on-line as an engineer and chief engineer on several railways in Britain. Abbey Road DLR Station was...

Person, Engineering

1 memorial
William Bridges Adams

William Bridges Adams

Author and engineer. Born in Woore, Shropshire. He invented the 'Adams Axle' which was used on British trains throughout the steam age. His writings include 'English Pleasure Carriages' and 'Roads ...

Person, Engineering, Journalism / Publishing

1 memorial
John Coode

John Coode

Born Bodmin, Cornwall. Civil Engineer, particularly involved with harbours: Portland, Table Bay and Colombo. Also Suez Canal. Died Brighton.

Person, Engineering

1 memorial
Sir Ambrose Fleming

Sir Ambrose Fleming

Electrical engineer. Born John Ambrose Fleming in a house named Greenfield in Lancaster. Best known for inventing the first thermionic valve or vacuum tube. He was also an accomplished photographer...

Person, Art, Engineering, Photography

1 memorial