The Life of Thomas Telford

The Life of Thomas Telford is a biography of the famous Scottish civil engineer, Thomas Telford, written by Samuel Smiles. Telford was a renowned figure in the field of civil engineering during the Industrial Revolution in Great Britain. He was responsible for designing and constructing numerous important structures, including roads, bridges, canals, and harbors, which played a vital role in the country's economic development.The book provides a detailed account of Telford's life, starting from his humble beginnings in a small Scottish village, to his rise to fame as one of the most prominent engineers of his time. Smiles explores Telford's early years, his education, and his apprenticeship as a stonemason, which laid the foundation for his future career in engineering.The book also delves into Telford's major achievements, such as the construction of the Menai Suspension Bridge, the Caledonian Canal, and the Ellesmere Canal, which were considered engineering marvels of their time. Smiles describes the challenges that Telford faced during these projects, including financial constraints, technical difficulties, and harsh working conditions.The Life of Thomas Telford is not only a biography of a great engineer, but also a fascinating account of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the development of modern infrastructure. Smiles' writing style is engaging and informative, making the book accessible to both engineering enthusiasts and general readers interested in history.But, as Telford afterwards used to say, very much depends on whether the man has got a head with brains in it of the right sort upon his shoulders. In London, the weak man is simply a unit added to the vast floating crowd, and may be driven hither and thither, if he do not sink altogether; while the strong man will strike out, keep his head above water, and make a course for himself, as Telford did.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.