Brunel, Isambard, << broo NEHL, IHZ uhm `bahrd,` >> Kingdom (1806-1859), was an English engineer. He became famous for his skillful construction of railroads, bridges, and steamships.
Brunel was born in Portsmouth on April 9, 1806. He was the son of Sir Marc Isambard Brunel, a well-known civil engineer, and began his work with his father building a tunnel below the River Thames in London. In 1833, Isambard Brunel was appointed engineer of the Great Western Railway, which was to link London and Bristol. He supervised the design and construction of the railway system’s network of tracks, bridges, tunnels, and stations. He later helped build railroads in several other countries.
In 1837, Brunel launched the Great Western—the first of his three huge steamships. This vessel was one of the first steamships designed for regular Atlantic crossings. Brunel’s Great Britain, launched in 1843, was the first propeller-driven iron steamship. Brunel’s most famous ship, the Great Eastern, was launched in 1858. It was larger than all previous vessels and displayed brilliant engineering features. But its size made it extremely difficult and expensive to operate. Brunel died on Sept. 15, 1859.
Brunel designed a number of famous bridges. They include the Clifton Suspension Bridge over the River Avon in Bristol and the Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar in Saltash, near Plymouth. Both are still used today.
See also Ship (Ships of iron) .
