Isambard Kingdom Brunel

NAME Isambard Kingdom Brunel

WHAT FAMOUS FOR British civil and mechanical engineer who was a key figure of the Industrial Revolution.

BIRTH born April 9, 1806 in Britan Street, Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire, England

FAMILY BACKGROUND  Isambard Kingdom Brunel  was the only son of the French engineer and inventor Sir Marc Isambard Brunel  (1769-1849). His father settled in Britain and married Sophia Kingdom, an English woman whom he had known in France in earlier days.

He was born in Portsmouth, where his father was working on block-making machinery.

CHILDHOOD Brunel's childhood was steeped in engineering and innovation. He showed an early aptitude for mathematics and mechanics, encouraged by his father. The family moved to London when Brunel was young, where he was exposed to his father's various engineering projects.

EDUCATION  Brunel was sent to France at the age of 14 to study mathematics and science at the at the College of Caen in Normandy and the Lycée Henri-Quatre in Paris. Two years later he returned to England to work with his father.

CAREER RECORD At the young age of 20, Brunel joined his father's ambitious project - the Thames Tunnel under the River Thames at Rotherhithe. He became the resident engineer, overseeing the construction for over two years. Disaster struck when a sudden flood nearly claimed Brunel's life and halted progress. Though work resumed in 1835, it wasn't completed until 1843.

This groundbreaking tunnel, the world's first underwater walkway connecting Wapping and Rotherhithe, was an instant success. Within a year, it had attracted over a million visitors. Brunel's innovative spirit even led him to host a lavish dinner party for businessmen in the unfinished tunnel in 1827, complete with formal attire - a testament to his audacious personality.

Brunel entered a competition in 1829 to design a bridge across Bristol's Avon Gorge. His elegant design, featuring a suspension bridge with a record-breaking main span of 192 meters (630 feet), triumphed. Construction on the bridge piers began, but financial constraints delayed completion until 1864, sadly after Brunel's passing.

Brunel was a tireless worker, known for his demanding 18-hour days, often sleeping at his office and waking by 4 am. While a dedicated leader, he could be harsh towards those he deemed incompetent, resorting to scathing letters to express his displeasure. Though his management style might raise eyebrows today, there's no doubt that Brunel's drive and ingenuity were instrumental in his engineering achievements.

APPEARANCE Isambard Kingdom Brunel was on the shorter side, standing at just 5 feet tall (1.52 meters).  Interestingly, he was known to be self-conscious about his height and would often try to appear taller. Some accounts mention his fondness for very tall top hats, which might have added an extra 8 inches or so to his stature! 

Brunel was known for his distinctive appearance, often depicted wearing a top hat and a waistcoat, with a cigar in hand. He had a determined and intense expression.

FASHION Brunel's fashion was typical of a Victorian gentleman, favoring practical yet stylish attire suitable for both the office and the field. His top hat and cravat became iconic elements of his image.

CHARACTER Brunel was known for his relentless ambition, innovative spirit, and determination. He was a visionary who was not afraid to take risks and push the boundaries of engineering.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Brunel had a dry and witty sense of humor, which he often used to diffuse tense situations and motivate his team.

RELATIONSHIPS Brunel married Mary Horsley on July 5, 1836. She came from an accomplished musical and artistic family, being the eldest daughter of composer and organist William Horsley.

His marriage was supportive, and Mary played a significant role in his personal life.

They had three children: Isambard Brunel Junior, Henry Marc Brunel and Florence Mary Brunel. Henry Marc later became a successful civil engineer.

MONEY AND FAME Brunel achieved considerable fame and fortune through his engineering projects. Despite facing financial difficulties at times, his reputation as a brilliant engineer remained intact.

FOOD AND DRINK Brunel enjoyed hearty, traditional English meals. He was known to appreciate good food and drink, often sharing meals with colleagues and friends.

MUSIC AND ARTS Brunel had an appreciation for the arts, influenced by his mother, who was an amateur artist. He enjoyed music and often attended concerts and operas.

LITERATURE Brunel was well-read and enjoyed literature, particularly works related to science, engineering, and history. He also maintained detailed diaries and notebooks of his projects.

NATURE Brunel had a fascination with nature, often drawing inspiration from the natural world for his engineering designs. He enjoyed spending time outdoors, observing landscapes and natural formations.

HOBBIES AND INTERESTS Brunel enjoyed outdoor activities, including fishing and sailing. He also had a keen interest in mechanics and often spent his leisure time working on personal engineering projects.

Brunel was known for his playful side, often entertaining his children with magic tricks. One of his favorites involved a half-sovereign coin that seemingly vanished from his mouth and reappeared behind his ear. Unfortunately, in 1843, the trick took a dangerous turn. While performing, Brunel accidentally swallowed the coin, and it became lodged in his windpipe!

Doctors attempted to remove the coin with specialized forceps, but it wouldn't budge. Brunel, ever the resourceful engineer, even designed a machine to shake it loose, without success. Weeks passed, filled with coughing fits and worry. Finally, Brunel devised a daring solution: a hinged table where he would be strapped face down and then rapidly tilted upside down. The suspense gripped the public, with daily press reports detailing the coin's fate. Eventually, the strategy worked – the coin dislodged with a jerk! The news was so momentous that historian Thomas Babington Macaulay, upon hearing it, ran down the street shouting, "It's out! It's out!" leaving everyone baffled about his excitement.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Brunel excelled in science and mathematics from a young age, using these skills extensively in his engineering career. His innovative use of materials and construction techniques reflected his deep understanding of scientific principles.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Brunel's philosophy was centered on progress and innovation. He believed in the power of human ingenuity to overcome challenges and improve society. His engineering projects often reflected this optimistic outlook.

SCANDAL Brunel's career was not without controversy. The financial difficulties and delays associated with some of his projects, such as the Great Eastern, attracted criticism. However, his engineering brilliance overshadowed these issues.

In the long slog to hack and blast the celebrated Box Tunnel through two miles of solid rock between Bath and Swindon, 100 men were killed.

MILITARY RECORD Brunel worked on the improvement of large guns and designed a floating armoured barge used for the attack on Kronshtadt in 1854 during the Crimean War.

RAILWAYS Brunel left his mark on the railway map. He spearheaded the construction of over 1,000 miles (1,600 km) of lines across Britain, spanning the West Country, Midlands, South Wales, and even reaching Ireland. His influence extended beyond British shores too, with two railway lines built in Italy and his expertise sought for projects in far-flung locations like Australia's Victorian lines and India's Eastern Bengal Railway.

However, Brunel wasn't infallible. His ambitious atmospheric railway, using a vacuum tube to propel trains near Exeter, proved a notable misstep. After a period of troubled trials, it was ultimately shut down.

BRIDGES Brunel designed and built several notable bridges during his career. Some of his most famous bridges include:

Clifton Suspension Bridge: Spanning the Avon Gorge in Bristol, this iconic structure was designed by Brunel in 1829 but completed posthumously on December 8, 1864.

Maidenhead Railway Bridge: Built in 1830 to carry the Great Western Railway across the River Thames, this brick arch bridge was known for having the flattest arch in the world at the time.

Royal Albert Bridge: Designed in 1855, this bridge connects Devon and Cornwall across the River Tamar, featuring an innovative tubular design with two main spans.

Chepstow Railway Bridge: Constructed in 1852 over the River Wye, this unique bridge combines suspension and tubular principles.

STEAMSHIPS Brunel's visionary steamships, the Great Western, Great Britain, and Great Eastern, each held the title of "world's largest" upon launch, forever changing transatlantic travel.

The Great Western, christened in 1838, was a wooden marvel. Critics scoffed at the idea of a steamship carrying enough coal for the journey, but Brunel proved them wrong. This paddle steamer halved the travel time to New York, pioneering regular service across the Atlantic. Interestingly, Brunel even issued instructions for the maiden voyage from his sickbed after a tumble from a ladder!

The Great Western's maiden departure from Bristol in 1838.

Next came the iron-hulled SS Great Britain in 1843. It was a game-changer, the first ocean-going vessel to utilize both an iron hull and a screw propeller for propulsion. Launched as the largest ship afloat on July 19, 1843, it retained its title as the longest passenger ship for over a decade. The Great Britain wasn't just innovative, it was fast – conquering the Atlantic in just 14 days during its first crossing in  1845.

Launch of Great Britain at Bristol, July 1843.

Finally, Brunel pushed the boundaries even further with the Great Eastern (originally named Leviathan) launched in 1858. This behemoth boasted a double iron hull and a unique combination of paddle and screw propulsion.

Brunel's trio of steamships weren't just engineering feats, they were testaments to his vision and daring. They revolutionized ocean travel, paving the way for a more connected world.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS Brunel faced several health challenges throughout his life, including a near-fatal accident during the construction of the Thames Tunnel and a serious bout of pneumonia. His relentless work ethic also took a toll on his health.

HOMES Brunel lived in various residences throughout his life, including a house in Duke Street, Westminster, and later a country house in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

TRAVEL Brunel traveled extensively for his work, both within the United Kingdom and abroad. His travels included trips to the United States and Europe to study engineering practices and promote his projects.

DEATH The huge and costly effort of launching the Great Eastern sideways into the Thames in January 1858, and the preparation for its first sea trials the following September, caused Brunel to suffer a stroke. His habit of smoking over 40 cigars a day probably contributed to his stroke.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel by the launching chains of the SS Great Eastern

Brunel died ten days later on September 15, 1859 and is buried, like his father, at Kensal Green Cemetery in London.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Brunel has been featured in numerous documentaries, books, and films about engineering and the Industrial Revolution. His life and work have been celebrated in various media, including the 2002 BBC series Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.

ACHIEVEMENTS  Brunel's achievements are numerous and include the design and construction of the Great Western Railway, the Clifton Suspension Bridge, and revolutionary ships like the SS Great Britain. His innovative engineering techniques and visionary projects have left a lasting legacy, earning him recognition as one of the greatest engineers in history.

Brunel came second to Sir Winston Churchill in the BBC’s 1999 poll to find the Greatest ever Briton.