Life of Thomas Telford - Essay Example

Thomas Telford worked for a while in the city of Edinburgh, but he intended London in 1782, the place where he met many talented architects like Robert Adam and Sir William Chambers. It is only there that he was committed to building additions to Somerset House. He was upholding many different skills and talents either in design or in the management of building projects. Thanks to William Putney, Thomas Telford turned out to be a Surveyor of public works in Shropshire and with the aid of this wealthy patron, Thomas became an architect undertaking many successful projects such as the renovation of Shrewsbury Castle, the town’s prison, the church of St. Mary Magdalene, Bridgnorth and another church in Madeley. It is reported also that he designed many bridges.

Thomas Telford was famous for being a civil engineer and was all the time consulted for some very challenging and difficult projects. He contributed somehow to water supply works for Liverpool and made remarkable improvements to London’s dockland and the construction of London Bridge. What is more, is that Thomas Telford took himself the responsibility of devising a master plan to enhance communications in the highlands of Scotland. This serious and thorny project has lasted some twenty years and has included the building and redesign of various canals like the Caledonian Canal and the Crinan Canal.

Obviously, the most striking incident in Thomas Telford’s life is when he was consulted by the king of Sweden himself in what concerns the building of a canal between Gothenburg and Stockholm. This occurred in 1806 and about four years later, his marvelous plans were carried out in the construction of the Göta Canal. Surprisingly, Telford was never married. The greatest works he did will therefore continue always to attest to his everlasting presence among us. Read More