Marc Isambard Brunel
Marc Isambard Brunel arrived into the world on the 25th of April 1769. He was born on a family farm in Hacqueville, Normandy. His father Jean Charles Brunel was a prosperous farmer who expected his second son to enter the priesthood. The elder brother inherited the land while Marc received a classical education. He showed no liking for Greek or Latin during these early years. Instead he demonstrated proficiency in drawing and mathematics. At age eleven he attended a seminary in Rouen. The superior allowed him to learn carpentry skills. He achieved the standards of a cabinetmaker within that institution. He also sketched ships in the local harbour daily.
The French Revolution began in 1789 while Brunel served abroad. In January 1793 he publicly predicted the demise of Robespierre during a trial in Paris. He escaped with his life but knew he had to leave France. He boarded the American ship Liberty bound for New York. Brunel arrived in New York on the 6th of September 1793. He subsequently travelled to Philadelphia and Albany. In 1796 he became Chief Engineer of New York City after taking citizenship. He designed various houses and docks throughout the city. An arsenal and cannon factory were among his projects. No official records exist of the specific projects he carried out there. Documents likely disappeared during the New York draft riots of 1863.
Brunel sailed for England on the 7th of February 1799 aboard the Halifax. His ship landed at Falmouth on the 7th of March. During summer 1799 he met Henry Maudslay who made working models of machines. Samuel Bentham recommended installing Brunel's block-making machinery at Portsmouth Block Mills in April 1802. The machine could be operated by unskilled workers at ten times the previous rate. Altogether 45 machines were installed at Portsmouth. By 1808 the plant produced 130,000 blocks per year. Brunel spent more than £2,000 of his own money on the project. The Admiralty vacillated over payment despite these results. They agreed to pay £1,000 on account in August 1808. Two years later they consented to a payment of just over £17,000.
Payment difficulties led to Brunel being deeply in debt by early 1821. In May of that year he was tried and committed to King's Bench Prison in Southwark. Sophia accompanied him as prisoners were allowed family presence. Brunel spent 88 days incarcerated within those walls. He corresponded with Alexander I of Russia about moving to St Petersburg. Influential figures like the Duke of Wellington pressed for government intervention. The government granted £5,000 to clear Brunel's debts. This occurred on condition that he abandon plans to go to Russia. As a result Brunel was released from prison in August. He had been an eminent engineer whose loss would have been significant to Britain.
Work began in February 1825 by sinking a vertical shaft on the Rotherhithe bank. A 50-foot-diameter metal ring supported a circular brick tower. Workmen excavated earth in the centre of the ring while it sank into ground. The tunnel required over 7.5 million bricks for its construction. The shield consisted of twelve frames each moved forward independently. Each frame contained three compartments big enough for one man. The whole frame accommodated 36 miners during excavation. During tunnelling both Brunel and his assistant engineer suffered ill health. Isambard had to bear the whole burden of work at times. In May 1827 they plugged an enormous hole appearing on the riverbed. Resources were consumed despite efforts to raise more money. The tunnel sealed up in August 1828 due to flooding.
On the 24th of March 1841 Brunel was knighted by Queen Victoria. Prince Albert suggested this honour after showing keen interest in progress. The tunnel opened on the Wapping side on the 1st of August 1842. On the 7th of November 1842 Brunel suffered a stroke that paralysed his right side temporarily. The Thames Tunnel officially opened on the 25th of March 1843. Within 15 weeks of opening one million people visited the tunnel. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited on the 26th of July 1843. In 1845 Brunel suffered another severe stroke leaving him almost totally paralysed. He died on the 12th of December 1849 at age 80. His remains were interred in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.
Up Next
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was Marc Isambard Brunel born and where did he grow up?
Marc Isambard Brunel was born on the 25th of April 1769. He grew up on a family farm in Hacqueville, Normandy.
What engineering projects did Marc Isambard Brunel complete in New York City after arriving in 1793?
Marc Isambard Brunel designed various houses and docks throughout New York City after arriving on the 6th of September 1793. His projects included an arsenal and a cannon factory though no official records exist for specific details due to documents disappearing during the New York draft riots of 1863.
How much money did Marc Isambard Brunel spend on his block-making machinery at Portsmouth Block Mills?
Marc Isambard Brunel spent more than £2,000 of his own money on the project. The Admiralty eventually agreed to pay just over £17,000 two years after initially paying £1,000 on account in August 1808.
Why was Marc Isambard Brunel imprisoned in King's Bench Prison in May 1821?
Marc Isambard Brunel was committed to King's Bench Prison in Southwark because payment difficulties left him deeply in debt by early 1821. He spent 88 days incarcerated before the government granted £5,000 to clear his debts and released him in August.
When did the Thames Tunnel officially open and how many people visited within 15 weeks?
The Thames Tunnel officially opened on the 25th of March 1843. Within 15 weeks of opening one million people visited the tunnel.
What caused Marc Isambard Brunel's death and where are his remains interred?
Marc Isambard Brunel died on the 12th of December 1849 at age 80 following a severe stroke that left him almost totally paralysed in 1845. His remains were interred in Kensal Green Cemetery in London.