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Brunel, a brief biography
Brunel was born at 12.55am on 9th April 1806 at Portsea, Hampshire. His father Marc Brunel was a great engineer. By the age of six Isambard was a skilled draughtsman. He left school at fourteen and studied mathematics in Paris. He was then apprenticed to a famous watch and instruments maker. In 1826 Brunel became engineer in charge of his father’s work on the Thames Tunnel. In 1831 he won a competition to design a bridge across the Avon Gorge in Bristol and was appointed engineer of the Clifton Suspension Bridge.On 6th March 1833 Brunel got his first railway job as surveyor to the Bristol and London Railway, soon to be known as the Great Western Railway. Work on the railway began in September 1835. While the first GWR section was being built he designed a steamship to go from Bristol to New York and called it the SS Great Western. Construction began on 28th July 1836 and on the 8th April 1838 the SS Great Western left Bristol on its maiden voyage. In 1839 work began in Bristol on the SS Great Britain the first large propeller driven steamship built of iron.On the 26th August 1845 the Great Britain left Liverpool for New York on its maiden voyage. In 1854 work started on Brunel’s third great ship the Great Eastern.After many difficulties the the Great Eastern was finally launched and set out for Weymouth in September 1859. Before handover to her owners there was an explosion which blew off one of her funnels. The news of this tragedy was too much for the very ill Brunel and on 15th September 1859 Brunel died. He is buried at Kensal Green Cemetery next to the GWR in West London. The Clifton Suspension Bridge in Bristol was finally completed as a memorial to him and opened on 8th December 1866. |
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Agriculture • Brunel • Childhood • Clothing • Cooking & Cleaning • Education & Science • Factory Life • Heating & Lighting • Leisure • Personal Health • Public Services • Transport • Victorian Legacy
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Isambard Kingdom Brunel was a farsighted engineer who designed and built
tunnels, docks, bridges, railways, ships and buildings. He saw and used
the benefits of other people’s ideas as well as moving technology forwards
many years ahead of those around him.