[i]

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
SIR JOHN RENNIE, F.R.S.

[ii]

[iii]

AUTOBIOGRAPHY
OF
SIR JOHN RENNIE, F.R.S.,
PAST PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

COMPRISING
THE HISTORY OF HIS PROFESSIONAL LIFE,
TOGETHER WITH
REMINISCENCES DATING FROM THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE CENTURY
TO THE PRESENT TIME.

LONDON:
E. & F. N. SPON, 48, CHARING CROSS.
NEW YORK:
446, BROOME STREET.
1875.

[iv]

[v]

PREFACE.

The following Autobiography was written by Sir JohnRennie in 1867, shortly after he had retired from theactive duties of his profession. As will be perceivedin the sequel, it was composed wholly from memory.Sir John was subsequently unable to revise it as hewould have desired, and it has since been found impossibleto do so. Nevertheless it is believed that but fewsubstantial errors will be found; while the kindlinesswith which the autobiographer invariably speaks ofevery person with whom he came in contact, is a guaranteethat there can be nothing to offend the mostsensitive person, or which might tend to injure thejust claims and reputations of others. It is now presentedto the public in its original state, having undergonemerely some necessary correction, in the hope thatthe memoirs of the man who was perhaps unrivalledin his branch of the profession—and which comprisevaluable hints as to the neglected art of hydraulics, aswell as advice to engineers commencing their career,[vi]the result of the experience of a lifetime of no ordinaryduration—together with the reminiscences of one whohad seen much both of men and things,

may not be unacceptable either to the profession or theworld at large.

London, September, 1875.

[vii]

CONTENTS.