Lives of the Engineers: Selections from Samuel Smiles

by Samuel Smiles

They were the giants of the age whose works still dominate the British landscape; self-made men who, through their own intelligence, creativity and hard work, became the architects of the industrial revolution. No wonder that the Victorian writer and social reformer Samuel Smiles admired them and no wonder his biographies of these master engineers were so popular, handed to factory workers at the end of their apprenticeships as a sign of what could be achieved by industrious men from humble backgrounds. It was during the 18th and 19th centuries that British engineers built a magnificent system of lighthouses, canals, railways, roads and bridges - works which are still in use today and loved as much for the elegance of their design as for their utility. It was a triumph of man's ingenuity, as engineers surmounted formidable technical and physical obstacles. James Watt pioneered the steam engine, which would provide 'what all the world desired - power', but there was near bankruptcy along the path to success, with Watt complaining of the 'rascality of mankind'. George Stephenson began life as a colliery worker, and his first invention, the miners' safety lamp, was aimed at a danger he understood all too well. Yet this was overshadowed by his second - and most famous invention - the steam locomotive. Smiles marveled at such engineering feats, but his account is also filled with anecdotes which create a vivid, arresting picture of the men themselves.

Genres: History, Biography, Business, Science

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1862

About the author

Samuel Smiles (23 December 1812 – 16 April 1904), was a Scottish author and government reformer, who campaigned on a Chartist platform. But he concluded that more progress would come from new attitudes than from new laws. His masterpiece, Self-Help (1859), promoted thrift and claimed that poverty was caused largely by irresponsible habits, while also attacking materialism and laissez-faire government. It has been called "the bible of mid-Victorian liberalism", and it raised Smiles to celebrity status almost overnight.

Reviews

[John Manley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book was written in 1879 it has a relatively modern style that makes for good reading. The transcription appears good, apart from the clumsy remnants of page numbers. This is a book I will retain for future reference.

I approached the read from a jaundiced view of Stephenson's achievements, a view caused by the oversimplification of history taught to children, see:

https://navsbooks.wordpress.com/2014/...

But finished the book with a more balanced view of the interplay between the various factors involved in early railway development. George Stephenson did not invent the Railway, but he did invent the Railway 'system' concept.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whether you're interested in biography, history, trains, or civil engineering, this will satisfy you. George's rise from unschooled engine stoker to a respected inventor and civil engineer is inspiring. The only quibble I have is the difficulty in picturing how long bridges and tunnels were when they're measured in yards. :)

[alibrivoxfan · Rating 4 out of 5]

There's a public domain audiobook version available here from LibriVox. It's ready by Andy Minter - one of Librivox's best!

[Kate]

Mentioned in A Shadow in the Garden: A Biographers’ Tale by James Atlas