Hawkshaw, John (1811-1891), English civil engineer

1 letter dated 14th September 1879 signed by Hawkshaw regarding a trip to Great George Street. The letter is on headed paper "Hollycombe, Liphook, Hants".

1879

1 file (1 item)

Purchased from: Sotheby's, London, February 1930 (acc.52479).

Sir John Hawkshaw (1811–1891), civil engineer, was born on 9 April 1811 in Leeds. Throughout his career he mainly worked on railways all over England (and as a consultant all over the world), and was also responsible as railway engineer for a large number of iron bridges and viaducts. By 1856, he became engineer for Holyhead harbour, and on completion of these works in 1873 Hawkshaw was knighted. Towards the end of his career his civil engineering work included sewerage schemes and he became consultant to the drainage commissioners until his retirement.

Hawkshaw was president the Institution of Civil Engineers between 1862–3, and was one of the most prolific contributors to its discussions. He was also a member of other learned societies including the Royal Society (elected 1855), the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Royal Geographical Society, and the Geological Society. His presidential address to the British Association in 1875 attracted considerable press attention.

Notable publications include: Reminiscences of South America (1838), Report to the Directors of the Great Western Railway (1838 and Report on the Rolling Stock and Permanent Way (1850).

Hawshaw died in London, on 2 June 1891.

Full biography available in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.