Bain, Andrew (1797-1864), a Scottish engineer, became known as “the father of South African geology” because of his research into local fossils, plants, and rocks. Despite his scientific contributions, however, Bain and his son Thomas Bain (1830-1893) are best remembered for their pioneering construction work. They built roads over the mountains that separate the South African coastal plains from the high plateaus. Many of these passes are still in use. Using convict labor and few mechanical aids, the two men built roads through 34 mountain passes. The Bainskloof Pass, built in 1853 north of Cape Town, is named after Andrew. Thomas’s most spectacular engineering achievement was the route through the Swartberg Pass, which crosses the range between Oudtshoorn and Prince Albert. It was completed in 1888.
Andrew Geddes Bain was born in Thurso, Scotland, probably in May 1797. He arrived in South Africa in 1820 and died on Oct. 20, 1864. Thomas Bain was born in Graaff-Reinet, South Africa, on Sept. 29, 1830, and died on the same date in 1893.
