Brunel, Marc Isambard, 1769-1849

Marc Isambard Brunel was an engineer, probably best known for his work on the Thames Tunnel. Born in Normandy, he showed early skill as an engineer and draughtsman and was given an appropriate education, serving six years at sea. In 1793, he fled the French Revolution for America, working as an engineer and becoming chief engineer of New York, but sailed for England in 1799. He designed block-making equipment for the Royal Navy, and wood working machines for government mills, and was successful but seldom profitable, spending time in debtor's prison in 1821. He experimented with steam navigation, designed a pantograph, and other innovations for a variety of industrial applications, including the tunneling shield which made the Thames Tunnel possible. He was well-known among other scientists of his day, including Humphrey Davy, Michael Faraday, and Charles Babbage, and his son Isambard Kingdom Brunel was also a famous engineer.

From the description of Marc Isambard Brunel letter to My young friend, 1843 Sept. 22. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 144870823