John Rennie - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:15, 17 July 2022

2022-07-17T07:15:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:15, 17 July 2022
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	--[[User:The_Institution_of_Civil_Engineers\|The Institution of Civil Engineers]]		--[[User:The_Institution_of_Civil_Engineers\|The Institution of Civil Engineers]]

−	= Related articles on Designing Buildings ~~Wiki~~ =	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings =

	* Aqueduct.		* Aqueduct.
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	* River engineering.		* River engineering.
	* Structure relocation.		* Structure relocation.
		+	* The architecture of British bridges.

	[[Category:DCN_Person]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:People]]		[[Category:DCN_Person]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:People]]

Editor at 11:46, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T11:46:42Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:46, 29 June 2021
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	[[File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg\|link=File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg]]		[[File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg\|link=File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg]]

−	Rennie design for "new" London bridge was selected over that of his rival, Thomas Telford. With his son's assistance, it was completed in 1831, 10 years after the elder Rennie's death. In 1968, it was sold to an American entrepreneur and relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.	+	Rennie design for "new" London bridge was selected over that of his rival, Thomas Telford. With his son's assistance, the design was completed in 1831, 10 years after the elder Rennie's death. In 1968, Rennie's London bridge was sold to an American entrepreneur and relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
	\|}		\|}

Editor at 11:44, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T11:44:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:44, 29 June 2021
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	* ICE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.		* ICE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
	* Navigable aqueduct.		* Navigable aqueduct.
		+	* River engineering.
	* Structure relocation.		* Structure relocation.
−	* Water engineering.

	[[Category:DCN_Person]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:People]]		[[Category:DCN_Person]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:People]]

Editor at 11:36, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T11:36:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 29 June 2021
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	[[File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg]]		[[File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg]]

−	This image shows Waterloo Bridge over the Thames ~~as well as the London skyline~~, as seen from the London Eye.	+	This image shows Waterloo Bridge over the Thames, as seen from the London Eye.
	\|}		\|}

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	{\|		{\|
	\|width="100%"\|		\|width="100%"\|
−	[[File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg]]	+	[[File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg\|link=File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg]]

−	Rennie design for London bridge was selected over that of his rival, Thomas Telford. ~~It was completed with assistance from~~ his son in 1831, 10 years after ~~his~~ death, ~~and~~ was ~~subsequently~~ sold to an American entrepreneur and relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.	+	Rennie design for "new" London bridge was selected over that of his rival, Thomas Telford. With his son's assistance, it was completed in 1831, 10 years after the elder Rennie's death. In 1968, it was sold to an American entrepreneur and relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
	\|}		\|}

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	* Structure relocation.		* Structure relocation.
	* Water engineering.		* Water engineering.
		+
		+	[[Category:DCN_Person]] [[Category:History]] [[Category:Water]] [[Category:Conservation]] [[Category:People]]

Editor at 11:30, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T11:30:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:30, 29 June 2021
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	{\|		{\|
	\|width="100%"\|		\|width="100%"\|
−	[[File:JohnRennie.Lancaster.jpg]]	+	[[File:JohnRennie.Lancaster.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Lancaster.jpg]]

	The River Wyre aqueduct over the Lancaster Canal was built to the design of John Rennie and opened in 1797.		The River Wyre aqueduct over the Lancaster Canal was built to the design of John Rennie and opened in 1797.
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	[[File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg]]		[[File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg]]

−	Kelso Bridge, Kelso is sometimes known as Rennie's Bridge after the engineer John Rennie. It was built between 1800-1803 replacing a previous structure. It is a Category A listed building and carries the A699 across the River Tweed into the centre of Kelso.	+	Kelso Bridge, Kelso, is sometimes known as Rennie's Bridge after the engineer John Rennie. It was built between 1800-1803 replacing a previous structure. It is a Category A listed building and carries the A699 across the River Tweed into the centre of Kelso.
	\|}		\|}

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	{\|		{\|
	\|width="100%"\|		\|width="100%"\|
−	[[File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg]]	+	[[File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg]]

	This image shows Waterloo Bridge over the Thames as well as the London skyline, as seen from the London Eye.		This image shows Waterloo Bridge over the Thames as well as the London skyline, as seen from the London Eye.
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	Rennie and Thomas Telford were rivals in their careers, and apparently did not have a warm relationship, but today Rennie’s name is one of 16 inscribed around the ICE’s Thomas Telford Lecture Theatre. Whatever their differences in life, they at least share that recognition in death.		Rennie and Thomas Telford were rivals in their careers, and apparently did not have a warm relationship, but today Rennie’s name is one of 16 inscribed around the ICE’s Thomas Telford Lecture Theatre. Whatever their differences in life, they at least share that recognition in death.
		+
		+	{\|
		+	\|width="100%"\|
		+	[[File:LondonBridgeArizona.jpg]]
		+
		+	Rennie design for London bridge was selected over that of his rival, Thomas Telford. It was completed with assistance from his son in 1831, 10 years after his death, and was subsequently sold to an American entrepreneur and relocated to Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
		+	\|}

	Rennie’s greatest monuments are his projects, many surviving still, as tributes to the genius of his foresight in designing for durability, and the longevity of his structures has surely benefited their carbon footprint dramatically.		Rennie’s greatest monuments are his projects, many surviving still, as tributes to the genius of his foresight in designing for durability, and the longevity of his structures has surely benefited their carbon footprint dramatically.
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	-----		-----
−	This article originally appeared on The Civil Engineer portion of the ICE website under the headline, 'John Rennie - calm, serene and solid, an engineer of "severe truthfulness"'. It was written by Gordon Masterton, ICE Fellow and Past President and published on 29 June 2021.	+	This article originally appeared on The Civil Engineer portion of the ICE website under the headline, '[https://www.ice.org.uk/news-and-insight/the-civil-engineer/june-2021/john-rennie-an-engineer-profile John Rennie - calm, serene and solid, an engineer of "severe truthfulness]"'. It was written by Gordon Masterton, ICE Fellow and Past President and published on 29 June 2021.

	--[[User:The_Institution_of_Civil_Engineers\|The Institution of Civil Engineers]]		--[[User:The_Institution_of_Civil_Engineers\|The Institution of Civil Engineers]]
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	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =		= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =

		+	* Aqueduct.
		+	* Bridge structures.
		+	* Civil Engineering during the Industrial Revolution in Britain.
		+	* History of the Institution of Civil Engineers.
		+	* How canals work.
	* ICE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.		* ICE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
		+	* Navigable aqueduct.
		+	* Structure relocation.
		+	* Water engineering.

Editor at 11:13, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T11:13:58Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:13, 29 June 2021
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	{\|		{\|
	\|width="100%"\|		\|width="100%"\|
−	[[File:JohnRennie.Memorial.jpg]]	+	[[File:JohnRennie.Memorial.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Memorial.jpg]]

	This memorial to John Rennie (located beside the B1377 - formerly the A1 - to the east of East Linton) includes an inscription, which reads, "This memorial to John Rennie (1761-1821) Civil Engineer was erected in 1936 and relocated at this site in 1981 by: the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers, Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Limited."		This memorial to John Rennie (located beside the B1377 - formerly the A1 - to the east of East Linton) includes an inscription, which reads, "This memorial to John Rennie (1761-1821) Civil Engineer was erected in 1936 and relocated at this site in 1981 by: the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers, Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Limited."
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	When he was 29, Rennie set up his own engineering consultancy business. Although his reputation had been established in mechanical engineering with Boulton & Watt, the bigger opportunities lay in civil engineering infrastructure.		When he was 29, Rennie set up his own engineering consultancy business. Although his reputation had been established in mechanical engineering with Boulton & Watt, the bigger opportunities lay in civil engineering infrastructure.
		+
		+	{\|
		+	\|width="100%"\|
		+	[[File:JohnRennie.Lancaster.jpg]]
		+
		+	The River Wyre aqueduct over the Lancaster Canal was built to the design of John Rennie and opened in 1797.
		+	\|}

	Rennie's first works were the Lancaster Canal, the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Royal Military Canal, and improving the drainage of the Norfolk fens. He also designed bridges in stone and cast iron with daringly wide arches - like Kelso Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Southwark Bridge and London Bridge, projects which were overseen by his son John after his death.		Rennie's first works were the Lancaster Canal, the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Royal Military Canal, and improving the drainage of the Norfolk fens. He also designed bridges in stone and cast iron with daringly wide arches - like Kelso Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Southwark Bridge and London Bridge, projects which were overseen by his son John after his death.
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	{\|		{\|
	\|width="100%"\|		\|width="100%"\|
−	[[File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg]]	+	[[File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg]]

	Kelso Bridge, Kelso is sometimes known as Rennie's Bridge after the engineer John Rennie. It was built between 1800-1803 replacing a previous structure. It is a Category A listed building and carries the A699 across the River Tweed into the centre of Kelso.		Kelso Bridge, Kelso is sometimes known as Rennie's Bridge after the engineer John Rennie. It was built between 1800-1803 replacing a previous structure. It is a Category A listed building and carries the A699 across the River Tweed into the centre of Kelso.
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	{\|		{\|
−	\|	+	\|width="100%"\|
		+	[[File:JohnRennie.Waterloo.jpg]]

		+	This image shows Waterloo Bridge over the Thames as well as the London skyline, as seen from the London Eye.
	\|}		\|}

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	= Get involved =		= Get involved =

−	'Engineering Foresight from Hindsight', the ICE’s collaborative forum of PHEW, archives, journals, CARE Panel and education and outreach, is planning a number of commemorative activities in the bicentenary of Rennie’s death, including a comprehensive mapping of all his projects.	+	'Engineering Foresight from Hindsight', the ICE’s collaborative forum of PHEW, archives, journals, CARE Panel and education and outreach, is planning a number of commemorative activities in the bicentenary of Rennie’s death, including a comprehensive mapping of all his projects. If you have an idea for a local project or how to promote interest in Rennie’s life and achievements, contact carol.morgan@ice.org.uk.
−		+
−	If you have an idea for a local project or how to promote interest in Rennie’s life and achievements, contact carol.morgan@ice.org.uk.	+

	-----		-----

Editor at 10:57, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T10:57:12Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:57, 29 June 2021
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−	Introduction	+	{\|
		+	\|width="100%"\|
		+	[[File:JohnRennie.Memorial.jpg]]
		+
		+	This memorial to John Rennie (located beside the B1377 - formerly the A1 - to the east of East Linton) includes an inscription, which reads, "This memorial to John Rennie (1761-1821) Civil Engineer was erected in 1936 and relocated at this site in 1981 by: the East Lothian Antiquarian and Field Naturalists Society, the Institution of Civil Engineers, Sir Robert McAlpine and Sons Limited."
		+	\|}
		+
		+	= Introduction =

	On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton paid tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineering creations, touching on his character and the contemporary esteem in which he was held.		On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton paid tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineering creations, touching on his character and the contemporary esteem in which he was held.
		+
		+	= Early days =

	John Rennie's (1761-1821) work on canals, aqueducts, bridges and dockyards mark him as one of the greatest engineers of his age, on a par with his contemporary Thomas Telford.		John Rennie's (1761-1821) work on canals, aqueducts, bridges and dockyards mark him as one of the greatest engineers of his age, on a par with his contemporary Thomas Telford.
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	Rennie's first works were the Lancaster Canal, the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Royal Military Canal, and improving the drainage of the Norfolk fens. He also designed bridges in stone and cast iron with daringly wide arches - like Kelso Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Southwark Bridge and London Bridge, projects which were overseen by his son John after his death.		Rennie's first works were the Lancaster Canal, the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Royal Military Canal, and improving the drainage of the Norfolk fens. He also designed bridges in stone and cast iron with daringly wide arches - like Kelso Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Southwark Bridge and London Bridge, projects which were overseen by his son John after his death.
		+
		+	{\|
		+	\|width="100%"\|
		+	[[File:JohnRennie.Kelso.jpg]]
		+
		+	Kelso Bridge, Kelso is sometimes known as Rennie's Bridge after the engineer John Rennie. It was built between 1800-1803 replacing a previous structure. It is a Category A listed building and carries the A699 across the River Tweed into the centre of Kelso.
		+	\|}

	Rennie's docks and harbours included Grimsby, Leith and the London and East India Docks. His largest projects were for the Royal Navy as it built the infrastructure preparing for a century of world domination, including Sheerness Dockyard and the great breakwater at Plymouth. Rennie also gave advice on novel maritime structures such as steam-powered dredgers, diving bells and the Bell Rock Lighthouse.		Rennie's docks and harbours included Grimsby, Leith and the London and East India Docks. His largest projects were for the Royal Navy as it built the infrastructure preparing for a century of world domination, including Sheerness Dockyard and the great breakwater at Plymouth. Rennie also gave advice on novel maritime structures such as steam-powered dredgers, diving bells and the Bell Rock Lighthouse.
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	= What was he like as a person? =		= What was he like as a person? =

−	Rennie married Martha Mackintosh in 1790. They had nine children, but Martha died in 1806 soon after the last child was born. Five children survived until Rennie’s death in 1821. The two eldest, George and John, became well-known engineers in their own right, learning their profession by working closely with their father. John Rennie 'the elder' was an imposing figure – 6ft 4in tall, and 15 stone, but suffered badly from rheumatism.	+	Rennie married Martha Mackintosh in 1790. They had nine children, but Martha died in 1806 soon after the last child was born. Five children survived until Rennie’s death in 1821. The two eldest, George and John, became well known engineers in their own right, learning their profession by working closely with their father. John Rennie 'the elder' was an imposing figure – 6ft 4in tall, and 15 stone, but suffered badly from rheumatism.

	{\|		{\|
	\|width="100%"\|		\|width="100%"\|
−	[[File:JohnRennie.jpg]]	+	[[File:JohnRennie.jpg\|link=File:JohnRennie.jpg]]

−	Portrait of John Rennie painted by Henry Raeburn.	+	Portrait of John Rennie 'the elder' painted by Henry Raeburn.
	\|}		\|}

−	By contemporary accounts, Rennie lived to work, and had few other interests. His biographer, Samuel Smiles said: “Work was with him not only a pleasure – it was almost a passion.” However, he was a book collector; he would commission any friends visiting Paris to purchase rare texts for his collection. The only holiday we know he took was with James Watt to France in 1816, the year after the Battle of Waterloo, but much of that time was spent inspecting the dock and harbour works commissioned by Napoleon.	+	By contemporary accounts, Rennie lived to work and had few other interests. His biographer, Samuel Smiles said: “Work was with him not only a pleasure – it was almost a passion.” However, he was a book collector; he would commission any friends visiting Paris to purchase rare texts for his collection. The only holiday we know he took was with James Watt to France in 1816, the year after the Battle of Waterloo, but much of that time was spent inspecting the dock and harbour works commissioned by Napoleon.

	Rennie operated with high integrity and had ethical principles that influenced many others. His character was described by a contemporary: "What I liked about Rennie was his severe truthfulness."		Rennie operated with high integrity and had ethical principles that influenced many others. His character was described by a contemporary: "What I liked about Rennie was his severe truthfulness."
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	Rennie's death in 1821 was felt at the national level: he received a public funeral and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cathedral.		Rennie's death in 1821 was felt at the national level: he received a public funeral and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
		+
		+	{\|
		+	\|
		+
		+	\|}

	Waterloo Bridge was considered his masterpiece, described by a contemporary as "perhaps the finest large masonry bridge ever built in this or any other country". The Italian sculptor Canova called it "the noblest bridge in the world" and said that "it is worth going to England solely to see Rennie’s bridge".		Waterloo Bridge was considered his masterpiece, described by a contemporary as "perhaps the finest large masonry bridge ever built in this or any other country". The Italian sculptor Canova called it "the noblest bridge in the world" and said that "it is worth going to England solely to see Rennie’s bridge".
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	Rennie and Thomas Telford were rivals in their careers, and apparently did not have a warm relationship, but today Rennie’s name is one of 16 inscribed around the ICE’s Thomas Telford Lecture Theatre. Whatever their differences in life, they at least share that recognition in death.		Rennie and Thomas Telford were rivals in their careers, and apparently did not have a warm relationship, but today Rennie’s name is one of 16 inscribed around the ICE’s Thomas Telford Lecture Theatre. Whatever their differences in life, they at least share that recognition in death.

−	Rennie’s greatest monuments are his projects, many surviving still, as tributes to the genius of his foresight in designing for durability, and the longevity of his structures has surely ~~benefitted~~ their carbon footprint dramatically.	+	Rennie’s greatest monuments are his projects, many surviving still, as tributes to the genius of his foresight in designing for durability, and the longevity of his structures has surely benefited their carbon footprint dramatically.

−	Get involved	+	= Get involved =

	'Engineering Foresight from Hindsight', the ICE’s collaborative forum of PHEW, archives, journals, CARE Panel and education and outreach, is planning a number of commemorative activities in the bicentenary of Rennie’s death, including a comprehensive mapping of all his projects.		'Engineering Foresight from Hindsight', the ICE’s collaborative forum of PHEW, archives, journals, CARE Panel and education and outreach, is planning a number of commemorative activities in the bicentenary of Rennie’s death, including a comprehensive mapping of all his projects.
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	If you have an idea for a local project or how to promote interest in Rennie’s life and achievements, contact carol.morgan@ice.org.uk.		If you have an idea for a local project or how to promote interest in Rennie’s life and achievements, contact carol.morgan@ice.org.uk.

−	'John Rennie - calm, serene and solid, an engineer of "severe truthfulness"'. It was written by Gordon Masterton, ICE Fellow and Past President and published on 29 June 2021.	+	-----
		+	This article originally appeared on The Civil Engineer portion of the ICE website under the headline, 'John Rennie - calm, serene and solid, an engineer of "severe truthfulness"'. It was written by Gordon Masterton, ICE Fellow and Past President and published on 29 June 2021.
		+
		+	--[[User:The_Institution_of_Civil_Engineers\|The Institution of Civil Engineers]]
		+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
		+
		+	* ICE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.

Editor at 10:20, 29 June 2021

2021-06-29T10:20:06Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:20, 29 June 2021
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	Introduction		Introduction

−	On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton ~~pays~~ tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineering creations, touching on his character and the contemporary esteem in which he was held.	+	On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton paid tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineering creations, touching on his character and the contemporary esteem in which he was held.

−	~~ohn~~ Rennie's (1761-1821) work on canals, aqueducts, bridges and dockyards mark him as one of the greatest engineers of his age, on a par with his contemporary Thomas Telford.	+	John Rennie's (1761-1821) work on canals, aqueducts, bridges and dockyards mark him as one of the greatest engineers of his age, on a par with his contemporary Thomas Telford.

−	Rennie was born near East Linton, 20 miles east of Edinburgh. He played truant from school to watch Andrew Meikle, the local millwright and inventor of the threshing machine, and began to work there when he was 12, while continuing his education.~~<~~	+	Rennie was born near East Linton, 20 miles east of Edinburgh. He played truant from school to watch Andrew Meikle, the local millwright and inventor of the threshing machine, and began to work there when he was 12, while continuing his education.

	Rennie studied at the University of Edinburgh, closest to his home but fortuitously, the leading academic centre for natural philosophy, practical chemistry and geology – the best available formative education for an engineering career before any courses in 'engineering' existed in the United Kingdom.		Rennie studied at the University of Edinburgh, closest to his home but fortuitously, the leading academic centre for natural philosophy, practical chemistry and geology – the best available formative education for an engineering career before any courses in 'engineering' existed in the United Kingdom.
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	Rennie's docks and harbours included Grimsby, Leith and the London and East India Docks. His largest projects were for the Royal Navy as it built the infrastructure preparing for a century of world domination, including Sheerness Dockyard and the great breakwater at Plymouth. Rennie also gave advice on novel maritime structures such as steam-powered dredgers, diving bells and the Bell Rock Lighthouse.		Rennie's docks and harbours included Grimsby, Leith and the London and East India Docks. His largest projects were for the Royal Navy as it built the infrastructure preparing for a century of world domination, including Sheerness Dockyard and the great breakwater at Plymouth. Rennie also gave advice on novel maritime structures such as steam-powered dredgers, diving bells and the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

−	What was he like as a person?	+	= What was he like as a person? =

	Rennie married Martha Mackintosh in 1790. They had nine children, but Martha died in 1806 soon after the last child was born. Five children survived until Rennie’s death in 1821. The two eldest, George and John, became well-known engineers in their own right, learning their profession by working closely with their father. John Rennie 'the elder' was an imposing figure – 6ft 4in tall, and 15 stone, but suffered badly from rheumatism.		Rennie married Martha Mackintosh in 1790. They had nine children, but Martha died in 1806 soon after the last child was born. Five children survived until Rennie’s death in 1821. The two eldest, George and John, became well-known engineers in their own right, learning their profession by working closely with their father. John Rennie 'the elder' was an imposing figure – 6ft 4in tall, and 15 stone, but suffered badly from rheumatism.
		+
		+	{\|
		+	\|width="100%"\|
		+	[[File:JohnRennie.jpg]]
		+
		+	Portrait of John Rennie painted by Henry Raeburn.
		+	\|}

	By contemporary accounts, Rennie lived to work, and had few other interests. His biographer, Samuel Smiles said: “Work was with him not only a pleasure – it was almost a passion.” However, he was a book collector; he would commission any friends visiting Paris to purchase rare texts for his collection. The only holiday we know he took was with James Watt to France in 1816, the year after the Battle of Waterloo, but much of that time was spent inspecting the dock and harbour works commissioned by Napoleon.		By contemporary accounts, Rennie lived to work, and had few other interests. His biographer, Samuel Smiles said: “Work was with him not only a pleasure – it was almost a passion.” However, he was a book collector; he would commission any friends visiting Paris to purchase rare texts for his collection. The only holiday we know he took was with James Watt to France in 1816, the year after the Battle of Waterloo, but much of that time was spent inspecting the dock and harbour works commissioned by Napoleon.

Editor: Created page with "Introduction On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton pays tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineeri..."

2021-06-29T10:09:37Z

Created page with "Introduction On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton pays tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineeri..."

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Introduction

On 29 June 2021 (the 200th anniversary of John Rennie's death), ICE Past President Gordon Masterton pays tribute to the engineer and the durability of his engineering creations, touching on his character and the contemporary esteem in which he was held.

ohn Rennie's (1761-1821) work on canals, aqueducts, bridges and dockyards mark him as one of the greatest engineers of his age, on a par with his contemporary Thomas Telford.

Rennie was born near East Linton, 20 miles east of Edinburgh. He played truant from school to watch Andrew Meikle, the local millwright and inventor of the threshing machine, and began to work there when he was 12, while continuing his education.<

Rennie studied at the University of Edinburgh, closest to his home but fortuitously, the leading academic centre for natural philosophy, practical chemistry and geology – the best available formative education for an engineering career before any courses in 'engineering' existed in the United Kingdom.

One of his professors was John Robison, a close friend of James Watt, who gave Rennie a glowing reference. Watt appointed Rennie as the London agent for Boulton & Watt, initially to supervise the fabrication and erection of a steam engine for the Albion Mill, a task he executed with flair.

When he was 29, Rennie set up his own engineering consultancy business. Although his reputation had been established in mechanical engineering with Boulton & Watt, the bigger opportunities lay in civil engineering infrastructure.

Rennie's first works were the Lancaster Canal, the Kennet & Avon Canal, the Royal Military Canal, and improving the drainage of the Norfolk fens. He also designed bridges in stone and cast iron with daringly wide arches - like Kelso Bridge, Waterloo Bridge, Southwark Bridge and London Bridge, projects which were overseen by his son John after his death.

Rennie's docks and harbours included Grimsby, Leith and the London and East India Docks. His largest projects were for the Royal Navy as it built the infrastructure preparing for a century of world domination, including Sheerness Dockyard and the great breakwater at Plymouth. Rennie also gave advice on novel maritime structures such as steam-powered dredgers, diving bells and the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

What was he like as a person?

Rennie married Martha Mackintosh in 1790. They had nine children, but Martha died in 1806 soon after the last child was born. Five children survived until Rennie’s death in 1821. The two eldest, George and John, became well-known engineers in their own right, learning their profession by working closely with their father. John Rennie 'the elder' was an imposing figure – 6ft 4in tall, and 15 stone, but suffered badly from rheumatism.

By contemporary accounts, Rennie lived to work, and had few other interests. His biographer, Samuel Smiles said: “Work was with him not only a pleasure – it was almost a passion.” However, he was a book collector; he would commission any friends visiting Paris to purchase rare texts for his collection. The only holiday we know he took was with James Watt to France in 1816, the year after the Battle of Waterloo, but much of that time was spent inspecting the dock and harbour works commissioned by Napoleon.

Rennie operated with high integrity and had ethical principles that influenced many others. His character was described by a contemporary: "What I liked about Rennie was his severe truthfulness."

Samuel Smiles said: “Mr Rennie established a reputation for truthfulness, honesty and uprightness, not less honourable and exalted than his genius as an engineer was illustrious… He was a man of powerful and equally balanced mind – not so clever, as profound; not brilliant, but calm, serene, and solid, like one of his own structures.”

Rennie's death in 1821 was felt at the national level: he received a public funeral and was laid to rest in St. Paul’s Cathedral.

Waterloo Bridge was considered his masterpiece, described by a contemporary as "perhaps the finest large masonry bridge ever built in this or any other country". The Italian sculptor Canova called it "the noblest bridge in the world" and said that "it is worth going to England solely to see Rennie’s bridge".

Rennie was a member of the Society of Civil Engineers, which later became the Smeatonians, from 1785 until his death. His image was one of seven carved portraits on the outside of the original ICE headquarters.

Rennie and Thomas Telford were rivals in their careers, and apparently did not have a warm relationship, but today Rennie’s name is one of 16 inscribed around the ICE’s Thomas Telford Lecture Theatre. Whatever their differences in life, they at least share that recognition in death.

Rennie’s greatest monuments are his projects, many surviving still, as tributes to the genius of his foresight in designing for durability, and the longevity of his structures has surely benefitted their carbon footprint dramatically.

Get involved

'Engineering Foresight from Hindsight', the ICE’s collaborative forum of PHEW, archives, journals, CARE Panel and education and outreach, is planning a number of commemorative activities in the bicentenary of Rennie’s death, including a comprehensive mapping of all his projects.

If you have an idea for a local project or how to promote interest in Rennie’s life and achievements, contact carol.morgan@ice.org.uk.

'John Rennie - calm, serene and solid, an engineer of "severe truthfulness"'. It was written by Gordon Masterton, ICE Fellow and Past President and published on 29 June 2021.