John Smeaton Biography

Dromo's Den

SMEATON, John (1724-92). A British engineer, born at Ansthorpe, near Leeds. He was educated for the bar, but followed his mechanical tastes and became an instrument maker, pursuing in the meantime scientific study and investigation. In 1754 he studied the canals and other great engineering works in Holland and a few months after his return was called to replace the second Eddystone lighthouse. The new structure erected from his plans (1756-59) was considered a model of engineering. After it had been standing about 120 years it was found necessary to replace it by a new lighthouse. Afterward he built bridges at Perth, Banff, and Coldstream, the North Bridge at Edinburgh, and the Hexham Bridge. The Forth and Clyde Canal was the most important of his canal work. He also made harbor improvements at Ramsgate. In 1769, after considerable experimental work, be began the construction of steam engines of greater size and length of stroke than had previously been built, in which numerous improvements were introduced. Smeaton's improvements on Newcomen's engine did much to increase its range of usefulness, and engines designed by him were exported to the continent of Europe. He also engaged in astronomical researches. A small club of engineers, founded by him in 1771, afterward became the Institution of Civil Engineers. His engineering work is described in three volumes of Reports, published in 1812. Consult Samuel Smiles, Lives of the Engineers-Smeaton and Rennie (London, 1861; new ed., 1904).

The New International Encyclopaedia, Vol. XXI (New York: Dodd, Mead & Co., 1920) 186-187.