Thomas Brassey Biography

Thomas Brassey was the 19th century civil engineering contractor who built much of the world’s railways during his time, including one-sixth of the railway network in Britain and over half of the French railways. He was responsible for building major lines in several other countries all over the world including Canada, South America, Australia and India. As a railway engineering contractor, he also built several docks, stations, bridges and tunnels. He made an early venture into the field of civil engineering when at 16 he became an apprentice to a land surveyor and agent. As a teenager he also met the renowned civil engineer, Thomas Telford, who left a great impact on the youth. A bright young man, Brassey was just 21 when he formed a partnership with his past mentor, William Lawton. Their business flourished and laid the foundation for Brassey’s glorious future works. His first railway work was building the Penkridge Viaduct which he completed successfully. Following the success of this work, he began to gain popularity and easily won contracts to build several other railway networks. After becoming a prominent civil engineer in his native Britain, he started accepting work outside the country. Eventually he became a very rich and successful professional, and died as "one of the wealthiest of the self-made Victorians".