John Smeaton
Biography and Contributions of John Smeaton:
– Born in Austhorpe, Leeds, England
– Joined father’s law firm before becoming a mathematical instrument maker
– Elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1753
– Won Copley Medal in 1759 for research on waterwheels and windmills
– Conducted water wheel experiments over seven years to increase efficiency
– Identified compositional requirements for hydraulic lime in concrete
– Coined term ‘civil engineers’ to distinguish from military engineers
– Founded Society of Civil Engineers in 1771
– Pioneering constant of proportionality named ‘Smeaton’s coefficient’
– Highly regarded by engineers for contributions to the Lunar Society
Engineering Projects and Works of John Smeaton:
– Designed third Eddystone Lighthouse in 1755
– Pioneered use of hydraulic lime and dovetailed granite blocks in lighthouse construction
– First expert witness in an English court for engineering expertise
– Devised water engine for Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew in 1761
– Built first 5-sailed smock mill in Britain in 1782
– Erected highly efficient atmospheric engine at Chacewater mine
– Applied Denis Papin’s idea to a diving bell for underwater work
– Works include publications on wind and water power, lighthouse construction, improvements to the mariner’s compass, and raising water by fire
Legacy and Recognition of John Smeaton:
– Died in 1792 and buried in Whitkirk, West Yorkshire
– Surviving daughters erected a memorial in the parish church
– Founded the Society of Civil Engineers and influenced the Institution of Civil Engineers
– Smeaton Tower substructure at Eddystone Lighthouse
– Recognition includes a civil honor mention in The Times, profile at the BBC, and association with Westminster Abbey and the Royal Academy of Arts
References and Further Reading on John Smeaton:
– Works referenced in publications such as the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography and Great Men of Great Britain
– Further reading materials on Smeaton’s life, contributions, and engineering projects
– External links to media related to John Smeaton, resources at the Linda Hall Library, and a video on YouTube discussing his work
Unsourced Material and Additional Information:
– Unsourced details about Smeaton’s death, proposals for memorials, and his involvement with the Lunar Society
– Mention of a proposal to bring the upper section of Eddystone Lighthouse as a memorial
– Links to related topics like the United Kingdom portal, transport portal, canals of the United Kingdom, and the history of the British canal systemhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Smeaton